Which of the following is NOT an element of a correctly identified issue?

A correctly identified issue in legal analysis typically includes the applicable law, the key facts, and the legal question at hand. Each of these elements plays a crucial role in framing the issue that needs to be resolved.

Applicable law refers to the statutory and case law relevant to the situation being analyzed, providing the legal framework within which the dispute is situated. The key facts are the essential details that outline the context of the legal issue, helping to clarify what precisely is being questioned. The legal question is the actual query that arises from the facts and the applicable law, often framed in a way that seeks to pinpoint the legal rights, obligations, or liabilities involved.

In contrast, a court opinion is a decision rendered by a court, which is not a foundational component for identifying a legal issue. While a court opinion may illustrate how a legal issue has been resolved in the past, it does not form part of the issue itself when one is identifying the components necessary to analyze a current legal situation. Thus, the correct answer is the court opinion, as it does not belong as an element in the identification of a legal issue.