"Legal Problem Solving: A Guide for Law Students" by Patrick Keyzer is a comprehensive textbook designed to assist undergraduate law students in developing their problem-solving skills. Here is a detailed overview of the book:

Key Themes

1. Problem-Solving Method: The book outlines a structured method for legal problem solving, which typically involves identifying the issues, stating relevant legal authorities, applying the law, arguing the facts, and reaching a conclusion.

2. Subject Areas: The guide covers a wide range of subject areas in law, including contract law, torts, criminal law, constitutional law, and administrative law.

3. Analysis and Application: The book provides detailed examples and case studies to help students understand how to apply the problem-solving method in different legal contexts. It also includes sample answers prepared by students, which are analyzed and discussed to highlight their strengths and weaknesses in identifying legal issues, stating relevant authorities, developing legal arguments, and preparing written advice.

Plot Summary

The book is structured to guide students through the process of legal problem solving. It begins by introducing the fundamental steps involved in solving legal problems, which are:

• Identifying the Issues: Understanding the key questions or problems presented in a legal scenario.
• Stating Relevant Legal Authorities: Citing relevant laws, cases, and regulations that apply to the problem.
• Applying the Law: Analyzing and applying the relevant legal principles to the facts of the case.
• Arguing the Facts: Presenting and justifying the facts of the case based on the evidence.
• Reaching a Conclusion: Drawing a conclusion based on the analysis and arguments presented.

The book then demonstrates these steps through practical examples and case studies from various legal subjects. It also includes discussions on how students can improve their problem-solving skills by analyzing sample answers and identifying areas for improvement.

Critical Reception

While there is no extensive critical reception available in the provided sources, the book has been noted for its practical approach to teaching legal problem-solving skills. It is widely regarded as a useful resource for undergraduate law students looking to improve their analytical and argumentative skills in legal contexts.

Edition and Publication Details

The book is in its second edition, published in 2003 by LexisNexis Butterworths. The ISBN is 0409312401, and it is available in paperback format.

Additional Resources

For further learning, students can also refer to other resources such as "Legal Problem Solving and Syllogistic Analysis: A Guide for Foundation Law Students" by Kenneth Yin and Anibeth Desierto, which provides additional insights into legal reasoning and problem-solving techniques.