Method for organizing legal analysis so that the reader can follow your argument
IRAC
What is it?
· Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion
· Method for organizing legal analysis so that the reader can follow your argument
How to do it?
As an example, we will look at whether someone can sue for battery as a result of inhaling second-hand smoke. The issue we will look at is whether there is contact, which is required for a battery claim.
Issue
· First state the question or problem that you are trying to answer (what might bring the parties into court). This can be in the form of a question or a statement depending on what your reader prefers. Examples:
· “There is an issue as to whether contact occurred when the plaintiff inhaled the second-hand smoke.”
· “Does contact occur when one inhales second-hand smoke created by another?”
Rule
· State the rule or legal principle. This may take the form of stating the elements required for a prima facie case.
· “The prima facie case for battery requires the following elements: an act, intent, contact, causation, and harm.”
Analysis
· This is where you state your evidence and explain how you will arrive at your conclusion. You may cite other cases, discuss policy implications, and discuss (discount?) cases that run counter to your conclusion.
· Make sure that you weigh both sides and make counterarguments where appropriate.
· Use case law, analogizing and distinguishing, and policy (for example, the goals of tort law) to work your way to a conclusion.
· “In Howe v. Ahn, the court held that noxious bus fumes inhaled by a passerby constitute harmful and offensive contact. Although the court has not extended this holding to a case involving second-hand smoke, numerous cases have likened second-hand smoke to air pollution (for example, Fox v. Abernathy). Policy considerations also favor finding contact in the present case. If one can prove harm as a result of inhaling second-hand smoke, it is better for the smoker to compensate the victim than burden the state.”
Conclusion
· “The court is likely to find that harmful contact occurs when a smoker releases second-hand smoke into the air and that air is inhaled by a bystander.”
Exercise:
Amanda has a long history of narcolepsy. She has tried all sorts of remedies from caffeine pills to doing jumping jacks every ten minutes to stay alert. After falling asleep during a law school final, she decided to see a doctor for some professional advice. The doctor prescribed “Stay Awake” medicine. The medicine seemed to work well and Amanda didn’t have any more embarrassing ‘naps’ in class. Two months later, Amanda was riding her scooter home when she fell asleep behind the handlebars. She then crashed into Felix. Felix decides to sue Amanda for negligence. What result?