LAW1231 Legal Methods,

Research and Writing

University of the West Indies
 IRAC Problem Solving

1 2

Issues Rules

Application Conclusion

3 4
Facts

• Not mandatory
• Useful when drafting/planning
Questions to ask

• Who is involved? (identify parties

specifically by name, if possible)
• Who suffered?
• How?
Questions to ask

• Why? (was is avoidable?)

• What is the known (relevant)
information?
• Is there any missing information?
Issue

• stating the issue presented by the

question
• Sometimes the question will provide
the issue for you
• What is the legal question that,
when answered, determines the
result of the case
Issue

• Specific and not general

• Can be more than one issue
• If so, you can write separate IRAC
analysis for each issues
• These do not have to be two
separate essay
Tips

• Identify the problem: what has gone

wrong and for whom?
• Briefly describe their individual
issues for the parties
Tips

• Which area of the law/topic governs

the problem
• Identify troublesome facts
Rules

• Describes which law or test applies

to the issue
• stated as a general principal not a
conclusion
Rules

• Source legal principles from cases

and legislation.
• Make sure to support propositions
with case authority.
Application

• Applying the Rule to the facts

• use the facts to explain how the rule
leads to the conclusion
• Always state the reasons for your
conclusion
What are we doing here?

• How will this law be used by each

party to argue their case?
• Use relevant cases, legislation or
principles to support each answer.
What are we doing here?

• There may be more than one person

who can bring a claim
• Does a precedent need to be applied
here
• May not be a clear answer
Conclusion

• Conclusion is your answer to the

Issue
• States the results of your analysis
• This will not always answer the
question at hand
Conclusion

• State the argument you think is the

strongest and why
• State who is liable and for what?
• Could parties manage risks?
Assessments
 Two written Assessments

Each worth 50% of your total

grade
 Assessment 1

Case Briefing and Application

Case of the Speluncean Explorers

 Assessment 2 - Exam period

Final Assessment (Online)

2 problem solving questions

24 hour access window, 2 hours to

complete + 4 hour window for
technology challenges