Fact Finding, Analysis and Written Advice
Identify the client, enquiry, objectives and material facts; analyse options and communicate clear reasoned advice, forms and letters in accurate plain English.
How to prepare for the IAA Level 1 assessment
Learn the current legal source and date, apply straightforward criteria to client facts, communicate concise advice, and stop whenever complexity requires higher-level referral.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Effective advice starts with verified identity, authority to act, the client's objective and a complete material-fact chronology.
Exam cue: State who the client is, what decision is required and which facts remain unverified.
Concept 2
A reasoned answer connects facts to current requirements, compares available options and explains risks, evidence, cost and next steps.
Exam cue: Use an issue–rule–fact–option–action structure for scenario answers.
Concept 3
Written work must be accurate, intelligible and responsive, using correct terminology without obscuring advice in jargon.
Exam cue: Proofread names, dates, route, status, conditions, deadlines and requested outcome.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Answering the assumed immigration question rather than the client's stated objective.
Guardrail: Document scope, instructions, consent, advice, risk, fees and next steps under the current Code.
Listing rules without applying them to the scenario facts.
Guardrail: Recheck the live provision and effective date; a remembered or historical rule is not enough.
Using polished prose that omits a material risk, missing fact or next step.
Guardrail: Do not infer authority from the route label: assess the actual facts, complexity and authorisation category.
Memory anchors
C-O-F
Confirm client, objective and material facts.
IRFOA
Issue, rule, facts, options and action create a reasoned answer.
Known–Missing–Prove
Separate verified facts, information gaps and required evidence.
Plain + Precise
Use accessible English without losing legal accuracy.
Six Checks
Names, dates, route, status, deadline and remedy must align.
Answer the Ask
Respond to the client's actual enquiry and desired outcome.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
What should an adviser establish first at an initial interview?
Why verify a new client's identity and authority to instruct?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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