legal-research legal-writing
How can issues be solved with the IRAC method?
<p>Can anyone help me showing the steps in IRAC method how to solve a particular problem?</p>

<p>You don't really "solve" a problem with IRAC. It is a rubric for summarizing cases and writing about how a legal issue was or should be resolved.</p>

<p>As noted by @Putvi it stands for issue, rule, analysis and conclusion. It is common when writing a court opinion, or summarizing a case.</p>

<p>For example, you first state the issue:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Does the statute of frauds bar claims for promissory estoppel to
  establish who owns real property?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Then to state the rule:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Promissory estoppel can overcome the statute of frauds for many
  purposes, but not for purposes of lender liability or conveyances of
  real property.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Then to provide analysis:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Promissory estoppel has been used to substitute reliance for
  consideration and other formal requirements such as the requirement of
  a writing in many contexts, but the lender liability statute of frauds
  was enacted with a broader application than the traditional statute of
  frauds and the statute of frauds for conveyances of real property is
  definitional in nature since a conveyance of real property doesn't
  have a meaning in the absence of a deed or other instrument of
  conveyance. Since determining who owns real estate and not just who is
  obligated to transfer it in the future necessarily involves a
  conveyance, the exception to the promissory estoppel exception to the
  statute of frauds applies.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Finally, you state the conclusion:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Therefore, the statute of frauds bars claims for promissory estoppel
  to establish who owns real property.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>IRAC is a tool used for communicating legal concepts and conclusions, not for reaching those conclusions. </p>

<p>Usually, the first stage of research is that you are presented with a fact pattern from which you have to "spot issues" and you may need to do legal research to use terminology that will be helpful and accurate to determine what the exact issue you want to resolve is and what the legal rule that applies to the case is. This often involves significant analysis prior to stating the rule or defining the issue.</p>

<p>Also, it isn't uncommon in adversary practice to start with a conclusion, and see if you can find a way to describe the issue, rule and analysis that will lead to that conclusion.</p>

<p>It would also be common to ask a junior attorney or law clerk to IRAC a large pile of cases to allow the senior attorney to focus in on which ones matter more quickly.</p>

<p>IRAC stands for Issue, Rule, Analysis, and Conclusion. Here is a pdf that lists what you should put in each part. <a href="https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/IRAC%20ANALYSIS_Saunders.pdf" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.csun.edu/sites/default/files/IRAC%20ANALYSIS_Saunders.pdf</a></p>
