Judgments
The judgments are the most important parts of a case. It is from these that you must seek to establish the principle of law upon which the decision in the case is based. Depending upon which is the deciding court you might read a single judgment (eg the High Court at first instance), or three judgments (the usual number of judge in the Court of Appeal) or 5 opinions (the usual number of judges in the House of Lords). Before reading the judgments check to see if the judges are in agreement as to outcome; see the beginning and the end of the judgments or look at the Headnote. If a judge disagrees with the majority in a case that judge is said to dissent. But be careful even if the judges say they agree this may be as to outcome but not, necessarily, the reasoning for reaching the outcome.
It is important to read the judgments in full. This will help you get to grips
with the legal method process.