What term is used for summaries of the points of law discussed in a case?

The term "headnotes" describes succinct summaries of the legal points and principles discussed within a case. These are typically found at the beginning of judicial opinions and serve a critical function in legal research. Headnotes distill complex legal issues into clear statements, allowing legal professionals to quickly grasp the key issues at a glance without reading the entire opinion. They are created by editors or legal publishers and are often organized to facilitate research by topic or theme, helping practitioners locate relevant legal precedents efficiently.

In contrast, case summaries provide a broader overview of the entire case, including facts, arguments, and rulings, rather than focusing solely on the legal principles. Legal digests compile and synthesize case law on specific topics but do so in a more extensive format than headnotes. Judicial highlights may refer to significant aspects of a ruling but do not have the formalized purpose and structure of headnotes.