When reading a court decision, what is the primary goal?

The primary goal when reading a court decision is to locate substantive issues. Substantive issues refer to the fundamental questions of law and the core conflicts or rights being adjudicated in the case. Understanding these issues is essential for grasping the legal principles that underpin the court's ruling and the implications of the decision for future cases and legal precedents.

While summarizing the decision can aid in comprehension, it does not delve into the legal principles involved or the implications of the ruling. Locating personal biases can be important in understanding the context of the decision but does not address the actual legal issues at stake. Similarly, ascertaining the judicial philosophy can provide insights into how judges interpret the law, but the primary focus must remain on identifying and understanding the substantive issues involved in the court's ruling. This understanding directly contributes to the application and analysis of the law in practice.