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| {{Expert-subject|Law}} | {{Expert-subject|Law}} | ||
| A '''headnote''' is a brief summary of a particular point of law that is added to the text of a court decision to aid readers in locating discussion of a legal issue in an opinion. As the term implies, headnotes appear at the beginning of the published opinion. | A '''headnote''' is a brief summary of a particular point of law that is added to the text of a ] to aid readers in locating discussion of a legal issue in an opinion. As the term implies, headnotes appear at the beginning of the ]. | ||
| Frequently, headnotes are "value-added" components appended to decisions by the publisher who compiles the decisions of a court for resale. As handed down by the court, a decision or written opinion does not contain headnotes. These are added later by an editor not connected to the court, but who instead works for a legal publishing house. | Frequently, headnotes are "value-added" components appended to decisions by the publisher who compiles the decisions of a court for resale. As handed down by the court, a decision or written opinion does not contain headnotes. These are added later by an editor not connected to the court, but who instead works for a legal publishing house. | ||
| In 1909, the Supreme Court ruled that headnotes have no legal standing and therefore do not set precedent. | In 1909, the ] ruled that headnotes have no legal standing and therefore do not set precedent. | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 03:57, 3 January 2011
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A headnote is a brief summary of a particular point of law that is added to the text of a court decision to aid readers in locating discussion of a legal issue in an opinion. As the term implies, headnotes appear at the beginning of the published opinion.
Frequently, headnotes are "value-added" components appended to decisions by the publisher who compiles the decisions of a court for resale. As handed down by the court, a decision or written opinion does not contain headnotes. These are added later by an editor not connected to the court, but who instead works for a legal publishing house.
In 1909, the United States Supreme Court ruled that headnotes have no legal standing and therefore do not set precedent.
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