Issue: Clearly state the legal question or issue you're addressing.
This
should be framed as a question. For instance, "Does the defendant bear
liability for X under Y law?"
Rule: Present the relevant legal rules or principles that pertain to the
issue at hand. You might cite statutes, case law, or any other sources that
are relevant.
Analysis/Application: Apply the rules to the facts of the case or
situation. This is where you demonstrate your understanding of how the
rules operate in real scenarios. Discuss how the rules affect the situation
you're analyzing. Add cases to support your argument.
Conclusion: Summarize your analysis by answering the issue you raised
at the beginning. Clearly state your conclusion and whether the relevant
rules support this conclusion. Add remedies and defences here to support.
Keep this section concise and tied directly to the analysis you've provided.
Tips for Writing in IRAC Format:
Clarity: Ensure each section is distinct and easy to identify. Use
headings or subheadings for each component to enhance
readability.
Depth: Provide detailed explanations for each component, showing
your understanding of the rules and their application.
Evidence: Incorporate relevant evidence from case law or
academic sources to strengthen your analysis.
Logical Flow: Maintain a logical flow between the components.
Your application should directly link the rules to the facts and the
conclusion should logically follow from your analysis.
Practice: Practice writing answers in IRAC format for different
hypothetical scenarios or past exam questions. This will help you
refine your skills.
Question 1.
John and Peter are employees at a small tech company. They have always
argued, often exchanging heated words during meetings. One Friday
afternoon, after a particularly intense argument in the break room, Peter
decided he had had enough of John’s constant criticism.
Peter approached John, sitting at a table with his back turned. Peter, in a
fit of rage, grabbed a nearby coffee mug and threw it at the wall above
John’s head. The mug shattered, and some of the shards cut John's scalp,
causing minor bleeding. Startled, John immediately stood up and turned to
face Peter. Without warning, Peter then raised his fist and moved toward
John as if he would punch him. However, Peter stopped just inches from
John’s face, smirked, and said, "You’re not worth it." Shaken and fearing
for his safety, John stumbled backward and fell, injuring his wrist.
Terrified and embarrassed, John quickly left the break room and tried to
exit the building. However, Peter followed him to the elevator, blocking his
way. Peter stood in front of the elevator doors, preventing John from
leaving for about five minutes, during which he berated John with insults
and threats, telling him that he would "make his life hell" if he reported
the incident to Human Resources.
After John was finally able to leave, he returned home deeply anxious. The
following week, John experienced difficulty concentrating at work. He also
avoided the office, fearing further encounters with Peter. Ultimately, John
decided to sue Peter.
Discuss different tortious liabilities in this scenario.
Question 2.
Linda, a manager at a high-end retail store, is known for her strict and
often aggressive management style. She oversees a team that includes
Mark, an experienced salesperson; Sarah, a new hire; and David, the
assistant manager. Tensions have been high among the team, especially
after a recent inventory discrepancy for which Linda publicly blamed Mark
during a staff meeting.
One day, while the store was closed for a team meeting, Linda confronted
Mark in the break room. Angry about another minor mistake he made
earlier that day, Linda pushed him against the lockers, causing him to hit
his head and leave a noticeable bruise. When Mark protested and tried to
leave, Linda blocked the door, screaming at him, "You’re not going
anywhere until we sort this out!" Mark was visibly shaken and pleaded
with her to let him go.
Meanwhile, Sarah, who was in the hallway, witnessed the entire incident
through the slightly open door. Frightened by what she saw and fearing
she might be next, Sarah quickly texted David, who was in the stockroom,
asking for help. David hurried to the break room but, upon seeing Linda’s
aggression, decided it was best not to intervene directly. Instead, he
chose to observe from a distance to avoid escalating the situation further.
Later that day, after the meeting, Sarah approached Linda to discuss her
discomfort with how Mark had been treated. Linda, feeling disrespected
by Sarah’s criticism, grabbed Sarah’s arm tightly and said, "If you ever
speak to me like that again, I’ll make sure you regret it." Sarah managed
to pull away, but the encounter left her deeply disturbed. Over the next
few days, Sarah began experiencing severe anxiety, crying spells, and
panic attacks, particularly when she had to interact with Linda.
After the incident, Mark confided in David about his fear of returning to
work and the humiliation he felt. David, though sympathetic, admitted
that he didn’t intervene because he didn’t want to jeopardize his position
as assistant manager. Mark, feeling betrayed by David’s inaction, decided
to confront him. During their heated exchange, David, in an attempt to
diffuse the situation, told Mark that if he pursued any complaints against
Linda, it would "only make things worse" for him at the store. Mark,
feeling pressured, ultimately decided not to report the incident to HR.
