Learn the IRAC framework to provide clear structure in your problem questions. Master issue-spotting, rule statements, applying law to facts, and reaching conclusions to stand out your problem question answers from other students.
Boost Your Problem Question in Legal Exam with IRAC
Are you struggling with problem questions late into the night?
Are you finding it challenging to answer problem questions using legal principles?
If so, you’re not alone. Many law students face these issues when dealing with problem questions. But don’t worry, this article is here to help.
One common challenge students face when answering problem questions across various law subjects is structuring their answers. However, once you become familiar with the method we’re about to introduce, answering problem questions will become much easier.
IRAC method - Issue, Rule, Application, and Conclusion
The IRAC method, an acronym for Issue, Rule, Application, and Conclusion, provides a simple and effective structure for your answers. These four elements encompass all the information you need to include in your response to a problem question.
Issue (I) - Identify the Issue
The first step is to clearly and concisely state the legal question to be addressed based on the facts provided. Frame it as a yes/no question to set up your analysis. For example, if the question is about whether Alice is liable for negligence for injuring Bob, you can write:
The issue is whether Alice owed a duty of care to Bob and breached it, causing Bob to suffer damage.
Rule (R) - Apply with Relevant Ordinances
The next step is to identify the legal test, statute, or principle that applies to the issue of the problem question. This will help you draw a conclusion. For example, you are write:
The law of negligence is governed by the common law test established in Donoghue v Stevenson [1932] AC 562, which requires the plaintiff to prove three elements: duty of care, breach of duty, and causation.
- A duty of care arises when the defendant’s conduct creates a foreseeable risk of harm to the plaintiff.
- A breach of duty occurs when the defendant fails to meet the standard of care expected of a reasonable person in the same circumstances.
- Causation is established when the defendant’s breach is the factual and legal cause of the plaintiff’s damage.
Apply (A) - Apply the Relevant Ordinances to the Facts
This step helps you support your conclusion with evidence and reasoning, and address any counter-arguments or exceptions. You need to combine the given fact with the relevant ordinances,
compare the scenario details to law cases, relating elements that are analogous or distinguishable.
For example, you can write:
In this case, Alice owed a duty of care to Bob because she was driving a car on a public road and Bob was a pedestrian crossing the road. It was foreseeable that Alice’s driving could cause harm to Bob if she was not careful. Alice breached her duty of care by driving at an excessive speed and failing to stop at a red light.
This was below the standard of care expected of a reasonable driver in the same circumstances. Alice’s breach caused Bob’s damage because but for Alice’s driving, Bob would not have been hit by the car and suffered a broken leg.
There was no intervening act or remoteness of damage that would break the chain of causation.
Conclusion (C) - Conclusion to the Problem Question
The final step is to answer the issue directly based on your preceding application. Use language like “Therefore…” or “It follows that…” for impact. For example, you can write:
Therefore, Alice is liable for negligence for injuring Bob, and the remedy can be...
Tips for Problem Questions
The question may touch on multiple points or raise other legal issues that require further analysis. In such cases, you can repeat the IRAC steps for any further issue raised in the question.
Summary
To recap, the IRAC method is a simple and effective way for you to structure the legal analysis in problem questions. It helps you organize your thoughts, demonstrate your knowledge, and support your arguments. By following the IRAC steps, you can tackle any legal problem with confidence and clarity.
But knowing the method doesn’t help you in the exam if you are not familiar with the IRAC method. Remember to answer more problem questions with IRAC to speed up your response time in the limited exam time.
Practice IRAC on old exams - it will become second nature. Are you ready to start using this powerhouse framework? Get analyzing!
Here is the sample problem question, see whether you can apply the IRAC method well.
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