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Written Ruling Template

Purpose​

This template helps learners separate facts, rule, analysis, and remedy.

When to Use It​

  • Week 17 after the mock trial
  • Week 18 when reviewing the verdict and possible appeal issues

Student Directions​

Write the ruling as if you were the court explaining the result to someone who was not in the room.

Facilitator Notes​

  • Push learners to separate "what happened" from "what I think about it."
  • If the case exposed a Charter gap, record it explicitly.
  • If the ruling depends on a message, screenshot, clip, quote, or image, ask whether context may be missing.

Template​

WRITTEN RULING

Case name:
Date:
Decision-maker:

FACTS FOUND

ISSUE
What question did the court need to answer?

GOVERNING RULE OR CHARTER TEXT

EVIDENCE RELIED ON

CLAIMS OR QUESTIONS THAT WERE CHECKED

ANALYSIS
How does the rule apply to these facts?

FAIR-PROCESS NOTE
Did both sides get a fair chance to be heard?

RULING
Who prevails?

REMEDY OR NEXT STEP

SOURCE OR CONTEXT LIMITS

NOTES FOR FUTURE AMENDMENT

Younger Learner Adaptation​

  • Use four headings only: facts, rule, answer, next step.
  • Dictate the ruling orally if needed.

Older Learner Extension​

  • Add a paragraph on why a competing interpretation did not win.
  • Add a section titled "Possible appeal issue" even if the answer is "none."
  • Add a note about whether any evidence needed a second source or verification check.