Legal syllogism - make the reasoning explicit

Philosophy

A flawed opinion rarely fails at the conclusion - it fails at the premise nobody stated. Legal reasoning is a syllogism: the rule (major premise), the facts (minor premise), the application, and the conclusion. When a step is left unsaid - "because it's obvious" - that is where the gap hides, and that is where the other side, or the court, will strike. This skill forces each step to be stated and marks what is settled and what is contested.

It structures the reasoning; it does not decide the case. Judgement and the decision stay with the lawyer.

Method (subsumption / IRAC)