In the context of determining key facts, which option represents the final step?

The final step in determining key facts in a legal analysis involves deciding which facts apply. This step is crucial because, after identifying the relevant causes of action and the necessary elements that need to be proven, the next logical phase is to filter through the gathered facts and apply them to the established legal criteria.

Determining which facts apply means prioritizing and selecting those pieces of information that directly impact the legal questions at hand. This process involves assessing the relevance of each fact in relation to the elements of the causes of action previously identified. By focusing on applicable facts, a legal analyst can make informed conclusions about how the case may be characterized, thus leading to a stronger legal argument.

In contrast, identifying causes of action or listing all facts related to the elements focuses on earlier stages of legal analysis. Similarly, determining the elements of each cause of action sets the groundwork by outlining the specific legal requirements that must be met. Therefore, by ensuring that only the relevant facts that align with the established elements are selected, one can effectively move towards crafting a legal strategy or argument.