Notes should be preserved on cards or in a notebook where they may be easily referred to while writing. When a case or other authority is actually cited in text or footnote, however, it should not be cited on the strength of the brief notes taken during research. The authority must be read carefully again to determine that the proposition for which it is cited is correct. Research for the recent case comment must be done as thoroughly as possible before it is written. Failure to uncover major cases on point, applicable statutes that may affect the issues, or periodical articles on the point of law covered by the recent case is inexcusable, and may result in rejection of the recent case comment by the Board of Editors.
Exhaustive research is essential.
The authorities cited in the recent case comment should be a summarization of all pertinent authorities on point. Keep in mind that the recent case comment is intended to be an effective research tool for the North Dakota Law Review subscribers. B. Briefs of Counsel Immediately upon being assigned a recent case, the student writer may attempt to obtain and study the briefs of counsel who argued the case. Briefs filed with the North Dakota and United States Supreme Courts are usually available in the law library. Briefs are sometimes not available until after the first draft of the recent case comment is completed, but it is vital that the briefs be examined regardless of when they are received, because they may bring to light neglected arguments and key facts.