KYA | SUPREME COURT | RESOURCES
Judicial Analysis Worksheet
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Using the IRAC Method
When briefing a case, your goal is to reduce the information from the case into a format
that will provide you with a helpful reference in class and for review. Most importantly, by
“briefing” a case, you will understand:
The problem the court faced – the Issue
The relevant law the court used to solve it – the Rule(s)
How the court applied the rule to the facts – the Application or Analysis
The outcome of the case – the Conclusion
You will then be ready to not only discuss the case, but to compare and contrast it to other
cases involving a similar issue. Before attempting to “brief” a case, read it at least once.
Issue
What is the question presented to the court? Usually, only one issue will be discussed, but
sometimes there will be more. What are the parties fighting about, and what are they
asking the court to decide? For example, in the case of the assaulted customer, the issue for
a trial court to decide might be whether the business had a duty to the customer to provide
security patrols. The answer to the question will help to ultimately determine whether the
business is liable for negligently failing to provide security patrols: whether the defendant
owed plaintiff a duty of care, and what that duty of care is, are key issues in negligence
claims.
Rule(s)
Determine what the relevant rules of law are that the court uses to make its decision. These
rules will be identified and discussed by the court. For example, in the case of the assaulted
customer, the relevant rule of law is that a property owner’s duty to prevent harm to
invitees is determined by balancing the foreseeability of the harm against the burden of
preventive measures. There may be more than one relevant rule of law to a case: for
example, in a negligence case in which the defendant argues that the plaintiff assumed the
risk of harm, the relevant rules of law could be the elements of negligence, and the
definition of “assumption of risk” as a defense. Don’t just simply list the cause of action,
such as “negligence” as a rule of law: What rule must the court apply to the facts to
determine the outcome?
Application/Analysis:
This may be the most important portion of the brief. The court will have examined the facts
in light of the rule, and probably considered all “sides” and arguments presented to it. How
courts apply the rule to the facts and analyze the case must be understood in order to
properly predict outcomes in future cases involving the same issue. What does the court
consider to be a relevant fact given the rule of law? How does the court interpret the rule:
for example, does the court consider monetary costs of providing security patrols in
weighing the burden of preventive measures? Does the court imply that if a business is in a
dangerous area, then it should be willing to bear a higher cost for security? Resist the
temptation to merely repeat what the court said in analyzing the facts: what does it mean
to you? Summarize the court’s rationale in your own words. If you encounter a word that
you do not know, use a dictionary to find its meaning.
Conclusion
What was the final outcome of the case? In one or two sentences, state the court’s ultimate
finding. For example, the business did not owe the assaulted customer a duty to provide
security patrols.
Case:
Appellee:
Appellant:
Issue:
Reasoning:
Analysis:
Conclusion:
