lOMoARcPSD|17413265
Problem Question with Worked Example
Contract Law (University of Portsmouth)
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Read the question below. Note that this is an example that we will work through together – the
question you need to answer is at the end.
Brandons is a supermarket and wishes to launch a new range of
‘experience packages’ – where customers buy an experience (such as
driving a racing car) as a gift. It puts an advertisement at the entrance
to the shop saying ‘Special Introductory Offer! Free £10 gift voucher for
you when you buy a Brandons Experience Package!’
Carol sees this notice and immediately buys a Brandons Experience
Package for her father. She is disappointed when the store refuses to
give her a £10 gift voucher.
Advise Carol.
This is a simple contract law problem question, but working through your answer using the ILAC
method below will give you the template for dealing with much more complicated problems.
The ILAC Method
What is the ILAC method? It stands for Issue – Law – Application – Conclusion and provides a
structured method for answering any legal problem question.
1. ISSUE - What is the narrow legal issue, which needs to be resolved in order to advise the parties?
2. LAW - What legal principles need to be applied in order to resolve the issue you have identified?
Explain those principles with supporting authority.
3. APPLICATION / ANALYSIS - How does the law apply to this situation?
4. CONCLUSION – Reach a conclusion which answers the question and resolves the legal issue.
How should you approach a problem question?
First, read the question carefully and then consider the following:
Who are the parties?
Who has done what to whom?
What does the question ask you to do? Are you asked to advise a particular party? Are you
asked to advise on a particular issue?
What area of law might be relevant? Does it concern more than one area of law?
Can you narrow it down to a particular aspect or aspects of this area of law?
Downloaded by Haniya ()
Problem Question with Worked Example
Contract Law (University of Portsmouth)
StuDocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
Downloaded by Haniya ()
, lOMoARcPSD|17413265
Read the question below. Note that this is an example that we will work through together – the
question you need to answer is at the end.
Brandons is a supermarket and wishes to launch a new range of
‘experience packages’ – where customers buy an experience (such as
driving a racing car) as a gift. It puts an advertisement at the entrance
to the shop saying ‘Special Introductory Offer! Free £10 gift voucher for
you when you buy a Brandons Experience Package!’
Carol sees this notice and immediately buys a Brandons Experience
Package for her father. She is disappointed when the store refuses to
give her a £10 gift voucher.
Advise Carol.
This is a simple contract law problem question, but working through your answer using the ILAC
method below will give you the template for dealing with much more complicated problems.
The ILAC Method
What is the ILAC method? It stands for Issue – Law – Application – Conclusion and provides a
structured method for answering any legal problem question.
1. ISSUE - What is the narrow legal issue, which needs to be resolved in order to advise the parties?
2. LAW - What legal principles need to be applied in order to resolve the issue you have identified?
Explain those principles with supporting authority.
3. APPLICATION / ANALYSIS - How does the law apply to this situation?
4. CONCLUSION – Reach a conclusion which answers the question and resolves the legal issue.
How should you approach a problem question?
First, read the question carefully and then consider the following:
Who are the parties?
Who has done what to whom?
What does the question ask you to do? Are you asked to advise a particular party? Are you
asked to advise on a particular issue?
What area of law might be relevant? Does it concern more than one area of law?
Can you narrow it down to a particular aspect or aspects of this area of law?
Downloaded by Haniya ()
