CRuPAC ( ) is an acronym that generally stands for: Conclusion, Rule, Proof, Application and Conclusion. It functions as a system for organizing a closed legal brief. The CRuPAC format is a "closed" format that is frequently used in responsive legal pleadings, where the issue has already been properly framed and identified by the movant (often through use of the related

IRAC IRAC ( ) is an acronym that generally stands for: Issue, Rule, Application, and Conclusion. It functions as a methodology for legal analysis. The IRAC format is mostly used in hypothetical questions in law school and Bar examination, bar exams. ...

methodology). Some authors have suggested dropping the "P" section of CRuPAC, which results in only four sections: Conclusion, Rule, Application and Conclusion

The Sections of a CRuPAC

Conclusion

The CRuPAC starts by stating the conclusion that the author wishes the reader (or judge) to reach.

Rules

The rules section of a CRuPAC follows the conclusion. The rule section of a CRuPAC is the statement of the rules that govern the particular question. Rules may include statutes,

constitutions A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organisation or other type of entity and commonly determine how that entity is to be governed. When these prin ...

, the

Rules of Civil Procedure Civil procedure is the body of law that sets out the rules and standards that courts follow when adjudicating civil lawsuits (as opposed to procedures in criminal law matters). These rules govern how a lawsuit or case may be commenced; what ki ...

, the Rules of Criminal Procedure, the

Rules of Evidence The law of evidence, also known as the rules of evidence, encompasses the rules and legal principles that govern the proof of facts in a legal proceeding. These rules determine what evidence must or must not be considered by the trier of f ...

, etc. The pertinent rule may also be included in

Restatements of the Law In American jurisprudence, the ''Restatements of the Law'' are a set of treatises on legal subjects that seek to inform judges and lawyers about general principles of common law. There are now four series of ''Restatements'', all published by the ...

, or the

common law In law, common law (also known as judicial precedent, judge-made law, or case law) is the body of law created by judges and similar quasi-judicial tribunals by virtue of being stated in written opinions."The common law is not a brooding omnipres ...

as derived from court case

precedent A precedent is a principle or rule established in a previous legal case that is either binding on or persuasive for a court or other tribunal when deciding subsequent cases with similar issues or facts. Common-law legal systems place great valu ...

. Which rules are applicable depends entirely on the question being addressed.

Proof

The "P" in CRuPAC stands for "proof", although many attorneys sometimes refer to this as the "

" section. In the proof section, the author uses case law to prove how the rule operates and to give examples of how the rule is used.

Application

The application section of a CRuPAC applies the rules developed in the rules section to the specific facts of the issue at hand. It is generally improper to introduce new rules in the Application section. If the rules developed in the rules section include

decisions, then the most efficient way of applying those rules to the facts is by the method compare and contrast, in which the facts of the cases cited as

are compared to the facts in the current litigation.

Conclusion

The (second) conclusion section of a CRuPAC restates the introductory conclusion. It is important that the (second) conclusion not merely copy the introduction verbatim; but rather, that the second conclusion restate the introduction in a compelling manner. It is never proper to introduce new argument or rules in the conclusion. By using two conclusion sections, the CRUPAC applies the maxim: "Tell 'em what you're gonna tell 'em, then tell 'em what you told 'em."

References

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