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how to write a legal essay

*not the same as academic essays
*no intro, content, conclusion

*only for case study questions

ILAC format
Issue
identify: the main problem i want to solve in my case study

case studies have many problems, we need to find which one specifically to
provide an answer to

an issue always ends with a question mark(?)

Law/Rule
apply the relevant act/case law to support your argument

answers must contain law, if not you're just making accusations

an answer not supported by law is worthless

Application
carry forward the law you have written above

apply the character's name into the law you have identified

important: must use the act/case law you have quoted

otherwise the law has nothing to do with your answer

Conclusion
the final answer you provide to answer the problem

the conclusion must correlate with the issue

how to write a legal essay 1

 example: case study
Albert runs a construction company. He has contracted to renovate a mansion for
Bill Gates. As such, he needs to acquire a 5-ton lorry. He called Johnson of Smart
Negotiator Ltd to negotiate the purchase of the lorry. Albert is willing to pay £35,000
for the vehicle. Johnson instantly recalled one of his customers, Barry, who would
also like to sell his 5-ton lorry at the price of £40,000. In order to close the deal
quickly, Johnson immediately calls Barry to purchase the lorry at £40,000. He then
calls Albert saying that it is the only lorry available in the market right now and he
has no choice but to purchase it at a price that is slightly higher than his budget.
Johnson(albert?) could not believe the story and did a quick search on the internet.
He found that there are many 5-ton lorries on sale and mostly priced between
£28,000 to £38,000.
Johnson now claims £40,000 from Albert. Advice Albert.

*always know who you are advising. who is the client?

main question: should Albert pay Johnson?

ILAC#1
1. issue: has Johnson breached his duty?

2. law:

Sec.2(a), Agency Act 1950 provides that an agent must obey all lawful
instructions of the principal

Sec.2(c), Agency Act 1950 provides that the agent must exercise skill and
care in performing the task commensurate with his expertise and knowledge

how to quote: copy the law into your answer. however, the actual laws are
very confusing, paraphrase into simpler words

3. application: replacing the law from before with the characters' name

Johnson must obey all lawful instructions given by Albert.

As Albert has only asked Johnson to purchase a vehicle at a given price, there is
nothing illegal in his instruction

Therefore Johnson must obey accordingly

Johnson must exercise skill and care in doing his work.

In this case, Johnson is a professional negotiator.

how to write a legal essay 2

 He should negotiate with the seller for a better price

4. conclusion

Johnson has breached his duty as an agent

conclusion must correlate with issue

ILAC#2
1. issue:

Does Albert need to accept the vehicle ? ……or

Does Albert need to pay £40,000 to Johnson ?

either one is acceptable, both will have the same conclusion

2. law:

Sec.3(b), Agency Act 1950 provides that the principal shall reimburse the agent
for expenses incurred in the course of performing the duty, if section 2 is fully
established

it was not fulfilled because Johnson breached his duty, so Albert doesn't need to
reimburse Johnson

3. application:

If Johnson has performed his work correctly, Albert is bound by provision in

Sec.3(b) to pay £40,000 to Johnson.

However, Johnson has failed to meet provision in Sec.2.

just apply the names into the law previously stated

4. conclusion:

Albert need not pay £40,000 to Johnson......or

Albert need not accept the vehicle.

either one is acceptable

how to write a legal essay 3