FOREWORD

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

LIST OF TABLES

LIST OF FIGURES

INTRODUCTION

I. The problem
II. The solution

USER GUIDE

I. Applications
II. Structure
III. Jurisdictions
IV. Style
V. Links
VI. Currency
VII. Thinking tools

A. Brainstorm, Sketch, Craft, and Check
B. The Artist, Architect, Carpenter, and Inspector

1. The Artist
2. The Inspector
3. The Architect
4. The Carpenter

VIII. Worksheets

PART A: PROBE THE PROBLEM

(Turn an unfocused problem into a focused problem)

Step 1 Know the facts

Summary
Introduction

Step 1.1: Collect the facts

Step 1.1.1: Identify the likely sources of information
Step 1.1.2 Answer 'What, Who, When, Where, Why, and How'

(a) What?
(b) Who?
(c) When?
(d) Where?
(e) Why?
(f) How?

Step 1.2 Comprehend the facts

Step 1.2.1 Write the facts
Step 1.2.2 Draw the facts
Step 1.2.3 Explain the facts

Step 2 Analyze the facts

Summary
Introduction

Step 2.1 List fact keywords

(a) Parties

(i) Roles
(ii) Relationships
(iii) Special characteristics

(b) Places

(i) Type
(ii) Location
(iii) Special characteristics

(c) Objects
(d) Subjects
(e) Timing

Step 2.2 List legal concepts keywords

(a) Type of law

(i) Civil law or criminal law?
(ii) Public law or private law?
(iii) Substantive law or procedural law?

(b) Area of law

(i) Civil law
(ii) Criminal law

(c) Causes of action

(i) Criminal law

Offenses against the person (English examples)
Sexual offenses (English examples)
Offenses against property (English examples)
Offenses against the State or security (English examples)
Public order offenses (English examples)
Offenses relating to the administration of justice (English examples)
Offenses against decency and morality (English examples)
Offenses relating to controlled drugs etc (English examples)
Miscellaneous offenses (English examples)
Weapons offenses (English examples)

(ii) Civil law

Civil causes of action (English examples)

(d) Defenses

(i) Criminal law

Criminal law defenses (English examples)

(ii) Civil law

Civil law defenses (English examples)

(e) Relief

(i) Criminal law

Criminal law remedies (English examples)

(ii) Civil law

Civil law remedies (English examples)

(f) Jurisdiction

(i) Australia

Description
Table of responsibilities

(ii) United Kingdom

Description
Table of responsibilities

(iii) United States

Description
Table of responsibilities

Step 3 Identify the legal questions

Summary
Introduction

Step 3.1 Integrate fact keywords and legal concept keywords

(a) Use the 'Under, Did, When' method
(b) Follow some examples

Step 3.2 If arguing an appeal, identify specific 'Did' questions
Step 3.3 Rank the questions by their threshold value and importance

PART B: LAY-OUT THE LAW

(Find the 'grey areas' of dispute)

Step 4 Generate search terms

Summary
Introduction

Step 4.1 Use the 'Full compass' Method to Brainstorm Keywords
Step 4.2 Further Expand your Keywords

Step 5 Search thoroughly for sources

Summary
Introduction

Step 5.1 Brainstorm the '5 Spheres of Information'

(a) The Inner-net
(b) The Intra-net
(c) The Extra-net
(d) The Inter-net

Australia
UK
USA

Recommended reading

(e) The Inter-NOT

Recommended reading

Step 5.2 Access sources
Step 5.3 Assess sources
Step 5.4 Acquire sources

(a) Think creatively
(b) Know when to stop

Step 5.5 Review and sort sources

Step 6: Divide the law into its elements and ingredients

Summary
Introduction

Step 6.1 Confirm the area of law
Step 6.2 State the basis of the plaintiff's claim
Step 6.3 Divide the law into its elements and ingredients

Example outline
Example diagram

Step 7 Apply the law to the facts to identify the legal issues

Summary
Introduction

Step 7.1 List positive and adverse facts for each element and ingredient
Step 7.2 List the positive and adverse evidence for each fact
Step 7.3 Decide whether each element is present, absent, or an issue

PART C: USE THE TOOLS OF PERSUASION

(Persuade the judge you have found the 'right' answer)

Step 8 Persuade through emotion

Summary
Introduction

Step 8.1 Set the context; describe the story's character
Step 8.2 Describe the character's conflict
Step 8.3 Resolve the conflict
Step 8.4 Write your theme

Step 9 Persuade through logic

Summary
Introduction

Step 9.1 Consider 'intra-type' arguments

(a) Legal arguments based on text
(b) Legal arguments based on intent
(c) Legal arguments based on precedent

(i) Where you have a case on point
(ii) Where you have no case on point

(d) Legal arguments based on tradition
(e) Legal arguments based on policy

Step 9.2 Consider 'cross-type' arguments

Step 10 Persuade through style and credibility

Summary
Introduction

Step 10.1 Craft a well-written document by following a checklist

(a) Craft a persuasive Statement of Facts
(b) Craft a persuasive Legal Argument
(c) Use the following tips throughout

Step 10.2 Review your document carefully

BIBLIOGRAPHY