Academic Advice Recent
The Methodology of Legal Research: Case Law vs. Statutory Analysis
Legal research is distinct from social science. You aren't looking for "opinions"—you are looking for "Authority." Whether you are writing a final year Long Essay or a court brief, your argument is only as strong as the cases you cite.
### Primary vs. Secondary Legal Sources
Primary sources are the law itself: the Constitution, Acts of the National Assembly, and "Locus Classicus" cases from the Supreme Court. Secondary sources—like textbooks and law journals—are merely persuasive. A common mistake is relying too heavily on textbooks when a recent Supreme Court judgment has already changed the position of the law.
### The IRAC Method
To write a world-class legal paper, use the IRAC formula: **Issue, Rule, Application, and Conclusion**. This ensures your writing is logical, concise, and impossible for an examiner or judge to ignore. We provide specialized legal research support, helping you track down rare law reports and ensure your citations (using OSCOLA or APA) are flawless.
### Primary vs. Secondary Legal Sources
Primary sources are the law itself: the Constitution, Acts of the National Assembly, and "Locus Classicus" cases from the Supreme Court. Secondary sources—like textbooks and law journals—are merely persuasive. A common mistake is relying too heavily on textbooks when a recent Supreme Court judgment has already changed the position of the law.
### The IRAC Method
To write a world-class legal paper, use the IRAC formula: **Issue, Rule, Application, and Conclusion**. This ensures your writing is logical, concise, and impossible for an examiner or judge to ignore. We provide specialized legal research support, helping you track down rare law reports and ensure your citations (using OSCOLA or APA) are flawless.