IRAC Method for Law Students
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As a law student, you will be faced with many legal problem questions that require you to apply the law to a set of facts. To effectively answer these questions, it is important to have a structured approach. One such approach is the IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) method.
Issue. Identify the legal issue or problem that needs to be resolved in the scenario. This is typically a question or a statement about the legal issue at hand.
Rule. Determine the relevant law or legal principle that applies to the issue. This can be done by researching case law, statutes, or other legal authorities that are relevant to the issue.
Application. Apply the law or legal principle to the facts of the scenario. This is where you demonstrate your understanding of the law and how it applies to the specific situation.
Conclusion. Draw a conclusion based on your analysis and application of the law. This should clearly state whether the legal issue has been resolved in favour of the plaintiff or defendant, or if it remains unresolved.
It is important to note that each step of the IRAC method should be thoroughly researched and well-supported. In a legal exam, it is not enough to simply recite the law, but to also demonstrate an understanding of how it applies to the specific situation at hand.
Sample Problem Question
A property owner, John, rents a room in his house to a tenant, Jane. Jane has been living in the room for 2 years, and the rental agreement states that rent is due on the 1st of each month. On the 5th of the current month, John tells Jane that he needs the room back and that she has to leave by the end of the month. Advise John on whether he has the right to terminate the tenancy.
Model Answer
[Issue] The issue is whether John has the right to terminate the tenancy. [Rule] Under the law, a landlord has the right to terminate a tenancy if the tenant is in breach of the rental agreement, or if the landlord has a valid reason for termination. [Application] In this scenario, it does not appear that Jane has breached the rental agreement by failing to pay rent or by engaging in any other prohibited activity. Furthermore, John does not provide a valid reason for termination, such as needing the room for personal use. [Conclusion] Based on the information provided, it appears that John does not have the right to terminate the tenancy. Jane has the right to continue living in the room until the end of the rental agreement, or until John provides a valid reason for termination.
Issue. Identify the legal issue or problem that needs to be resolved in the scenario. This is typically a question or a statement about the legal issue at hand.
Rule. Determine the relevant law or legal principle that applies to the issue. This can be done by researching case law, statutes, or other legal authorities that are relevant to the issue.
Application. Apply the law or legal principle to the facts of the scenario. This is where you demonstrate your understanding of the law and how it applies to the specific situation.
Conclusion. Draw a conclusion based on your analysis and application of the law. This should clearly state whether the legal issue has been resolved in favour of the plaintiff or defendant, or if it remains unresolved.
It is important to note that each step of the IRAC method should be thoroughly researched and well-supported. In a legal exam, it is not enough to simply recite the law, but to also demonstrate an understanding of how it applies to the specific situation at hand.
Sample Problem Question
A property owner, John, rents a room in his house to a tenant, Jane. Jane has been living in the room for 2 years, and the rental agreement states that rent is due on the 1st of each month. On the 5th of the current month, John tells Jane that he needs the room back and that she has to leave by the end of the month. Advise John on whether he has the right to terminate the tenancy.
Model Answer
[Issue] The issue is whether John has the right to terminate the tenancy. [Rule] Under the law, a landlord has the right to terminate a tenancy if the tenant is in breach of the rental agreement, or if the landlord has a valid reason for termination. [Application] In this scenario, it does not appear that Jane has breached the rental agreement by failing to pay rent or by engaging in any other prohibited activity. Furthermore, John does not provide a valid reason for termination, such as needing the room for personal use. [Conclusion] Based on the information provided, it appears that John does not have the right to terminate the tenancy. Jane has the right to continue living in the room until the end of the rental agreement, or until John provides a valid reason for termination.
