Course of Action — Prelims Strategy

Prelims Strategy

Start by separating verified facts from complaints, suspicions and missing information. Identify the decision-maker and the immediate objective. A local office cannot automatically exercise powers assigned to another authority, and a recommendation cannot be treated as already implemented. Then identify whether delay itself creates a serious risk.

Compare each response using the same four tests: connection to the problem, practical authority, proportionality and evidential support. Do not reject an option merely because it is temporary. A reversible protective measure followed by testing may be stronger than either unrestricted continuation or an indefinite ban. Conversely, an emergency label cannot justify any restriction regardless of scope.

For questions offering combinations of actions, assess each action separately before considering whether they work together. Investigation and protection can be complementary; two actions may also conflict or duplicate resources.

Read words such as 'immediate', 'pending verification' and 'indefinitely' carefully because they change the burden of justification. Finish by explaining why the nearest competing option is less suitable under these particular facts, rather than assuming that one policy principle wins in every situation.