An Open Letter to a Colleague Preparing to Teach Remedies

Abstract

The Remedies course is a capstone of the law school curriculum, but it is also a challenging course to teach. It cuts across contract, property, tort, and procedure law. It is usually taken by third-year students, who are notoriously difficult to motivate. The author draws on twenty-five years of teaching Remedies intermittently at three law schools, using a variety of texts. He explains his preference for teaching Remedies by the problem method, and offers pointers. Difficulties that other teachers have reported with the problem method are noted. Most students report a positive reaction to the problem method. They appreciate its similarity to law practice and the novelty of not having to read and recite cases.

Keywords: Legal Education, Problem Method, PBL, Remedies