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LAW OF CONTRACT
REVISION STUDY PACK
EXAM PREPARATION / TUTORIAL CLASSES / EXAM PACKs CONTACT: 0784683517
JOSEPH
0784683517
“The expert in anything was once a beginner”
, 1
Answering Problem-Type
Questions
A useful way to approach problem type questions is to use the IPAC scheme:
I =IDENTIFY the legal issues involved.
P= set out the applicable legal PRINCIPLES.
A= APPLY the legal principles to the facts.
C= give your CONCLUSION.
IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM
Identifying the relevant issues correctly is the most important step in answering the
question.
TIPS
• Start broadly and then narrow down the topic. For example, ask yourself
whether the question is about the validity of the contract, the contents of the
contract or the breach of the contract. Usually, the wording of the question
will give you an indication of this. If you decide it is about the validity of the
contract, ask yourself which specific requirement of validity is involved. Carry
on until you are sure that you have sufficiently narrowed down the topic.
• If you think more than one legal issue is involved, discuss both, but pay more
attention to the issue you regard as most relevant to the question.
• If you are not sure what the legal issue is, do not use the ‘shotgun’ approach!
Writing down everything you know about a certain topic, simply creates the
impression that although you might know the work, you do not understand it.
PRINCIPLES
Here you will summarise the legal principles applying to the legal issue. These can
usually be set out in the following form:
The rule= Requirements for the rule to apply + Consequences if the rule applies (
Authority)
TIPS
• Do not discuss all the legal principles in complete detail. Summarize the main
points to start off with. When you start applying the principles to the facts,
give a more detailed discussion on the specific principles that are relevant to
your application.
APPLICATION
This is a very important part of your answer, and what usually distinguishes a simple
pass from a first class pass. What you have to do, is to link the facts to the legal
principle involved. Motivating your answer is very important-part of being able to
construct a proper argument is to give reasons for your answer.
Example: Caveat Subsciptor rule: If a party has signed a written contract
(requirements), he will generally be bound to the contract (consequences)according
to the case of George v Fairmead (authority).
CONCLUSION - This is usually short, where you simply summarise what
your answer to the question is.
“The expert in anything was once a beginner”
LAW OF CONTRACT
REVISION STUDY PACK
EXAM PREPARATION / TUTORIAL CLASSES / EXAM PACKs CONTACT: 0784683517
JOSEPH
0784683517
“The expert in anything was once a beginner”
, 1
Answering Problem-Type
Questions
A useful way to approach problem type questions is to use the IPAC scheme:
I =IDENTIFY the legal issues involved.
P= set out the applicable legal PRINCIPLES.
A= APPLY the legal principles to the facts.
C= give your CONCLUSION.
IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM
Identifying the relevant issues correctly is the most important step in answering the
question.
TIPS
• Start broadly and then narrow down the topic. For example, ask yourself
whether the question is about the validity of the contract, the contents of the
contract or the breach of the contract. Usually, the wording of the question
will give you an indication of this. If you decide it is about the validity of the
contract, ask yourself which specific requirement of validity is involved. Carry
on until you are sure that you have sufficiently narrowed down the topic.
• If you think more than one legal issue is involved, discuss both, but pay more
attention to the issue you regard as most relevant to the question.
• If you are not sure what the legal issue is, do not use the ‘shotgun’ approach!
Writing down everything you know about a certain topic, simply creates the
impression that although you might know the work, you do not understand it.
PRINCIPLES
Here you will summarise the legal principles applying to the legal issue. These can
usually be set out in the following form:
The rule= Requirements for the rule to apply + Consequences if the rule applies (
Authority)
TIPS
• Do not discuss all the legal principles in complete detail. Summarize the main
points to start off with. When you start applying the principles to the facts,
give a more detailed discussion on the specific principles that are relevant to
your application.
APPLICATION
This is a very important part of your answer, and what usually distinguishes a simple
pass from a first class pass. What you have to do, is to link the facts to the legal
principle involved. Motivating your answer is very important-part of being able to
construct a proper argument is to give reasons for your answer.
Example: Caveat Subsciptor rule: If a party has signed a written contract
(requirements), he will generally be bound to the contract (consequences)according
to the case of George v Fairmead (authority).
CONCLUSION - This is usually short, where you simply summarise what
your answer to the question is.
“The expert in anything was once a beginner”
