Guide to Writing Case Summaries

Writing case summaries for the Financial Remedies Journal is an excellent way of developing your understanding of financial remedies law and related areas, and of improving your profile and reputation in the profession. The website and journal are widely read by judges, academics, lawyers, students, and litigants in person. 

The FRJ currently has some 54 case summarisers, predominantly barristers and pupil barristers, and solicitors, who kindly summarise for us alongside their other obligations. Cases are selected from a list as and when each summariser has time, but once selected must be turned around quickly to ensure that the FRJ continues to be at the forefront of financial remedies practice. We have a summarisers' whatsapp group to help those new to financial remedies practice develop contacts and get support. 

We welcome new case summarisers who are qualified solicitors or barristers, or undertaking a pupillage. Exceptionally, we will accept someone not in these groups but who can demonstrate particular skills or achievements indicating a strong academic performance and an existing familiarity with the basics of financial remedies law, TLATA, marriage law, or Inheritance Act (your knowledge will of course develop as you summarise). It is unlikely that this will include a recent graduate, however able, unless they have additional training or experience, and we do take into account that not everyone has had the same opportunities.

Case summaries by pupils and trainees are sent to Professor Polly Morgan, our Cases Editor, for checking before being uploaded. Feedback will enable you to develop your understanding of the important and/or novel elements in a case, and clarity in writing, but the onus is still on you to produce an accurate summary. Qualified lawyers are also welcome to get a second opinion on a summary if desired. 

If you are interested in joining the team please contact frjeditor@classlegal.com and we will pass your application to Polly.