How does one answer a law case study question? For most students, whether in business school or law school, the framework answering law questions is called: IRAC.
IRAC stands for Issue, Rule, Application, and Conclusion
Under the IRAC method, students are expected to tackle a series of sections each which help to frame and ultimately, answer the question.
Issue: The first step in the IRAC method is to identify the legal issues presented in the case study. You need to carefully read the facts and understand the key conflicts or problems that require legal analysis. The issue should be formulated as a specific question that the court needs to address.
Rule: After identifying the legal issues, you move on to the rule section. Here, you need to state the relevant legal rules or principles that apply to the identified issues. These rules can come from statutes, regulations, common law, or precedents set by previous court decisions. It is crucial to accurately and succinctly state the applicable rules.
Application: In this step, you apply the identified legal rules to the specific facts of the case. You analyze how the rules relate to the circumstances and events described in the case study. This is where you demonstrate your legal reasoning and analytical skills. It is important to consider both sides of the argument and discuss potential counterarguments or exceptions to the rule.
Conclusion: The final step of the IRAC method is the conclusion. Here, you provide your answer to the legal issues raised in the case study based on your analysis. Your conclusion should directly address the questions posed in the issue section. It is essential to provide a clear and concise answer supported by the reasoning and arguments presented in the application section.