ASU Masterclass – When Case Law Becomes the Foundation: Legal Thinking in the U.S. System

Continuing the ASU Masterclass – Understanding US Legal Culture, students majoring in Law and Economic Law moved on to a specialized and distinctive aspect of the United States legal system: case law and the role of the court system in the formation and development of law. Through the lecture delivered by MBA. Ngô Thị Kim Anh, the content was presented with a strong integration of theory and practice, enabling students not only to understand the nature of case law but also to gradually develop flexible legal thinking—an essential competency in today’s context of international integration.

One of the core distinguishing features of the United States legal system is the strong development of common law and case law. Within this system, law is not solely established through written statutes but is also formed, supplemented, and developed through judicial decisions. This characteristic creates a “dynamic” legal system that continuously evolves and adapts to societal changes.

Through this approach, students gradually recognized that each court judgment is not merely a resolution of a specific dispute but can also serve as a guiding precedent for similar cases in the future.

During the session, MBA. Ngô Thị Kim Anh systematically introduced students to the principle of stare decisis—the foundation of the U.S. case law system. The content was analyzed clearly and logically, helping students gain deeper insights into key issues:

• Previous decisions can directly influence the resolution of current cases
• Lower courts are bound to follow the decisions of higher courts
• Case law contributes to the stability, consistency, and predictability of the legal system

Beyond theoretical understanding, the lecture was closely linked to judicial practice, allowing students to grasp the practical role of case law in legal proceedings.

Under the lecturer’s guidance, students participated in analyzing and resolving hypothetical legal situations. Notably, the contribution of student Lương Nguyễn Thùy An demonstrated the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical contexts, thereby clarifying how case law is applied in resolving legal disputes.

Through these activities, students not only acquired knowledge but also developed essential skills such as legal reasoning, argumentation, and critical thinking—core competencies for law students.

In addition to studying the principle of case law, students were introduced to the structure of the United States court system, including:

• State courts
• Federal courts
• Tribal courts

This helped students better understand the multi-layered, flexible, and hierarchical nature of the judicial system. The session also highlighted exceptional cases where precedents may be modified or overturned if they are no longer suitable for the legal and social context, demonstrating that law is dynamic rather than static.

CONCLUSION

The session delivered by MBA. Ngô Thị Kim Anh provided students with in-depth insights into case law and the United States court system—elements often regarded as the “core” of this legal framework. Beyond knowledge acquisition, students were guided to develop practical legal thinking, analytical skills, and adaptability to legal changes in a globalized environment. This serves as a crucial foundation for Law and Economic Law students to confidently pursue their academic and professional development in the future.