F3G seems to be the only person to have mentioned that having an IMC rating or an IR does not mean that you will be comfortable flying in IMC. It might be that you are not current, or that your aircraft is not equipped for the flight.
Or it might be that you did not plan the flight with IMC in mind. I have an IR, I try to keep it reasonably current, and I often fly aircraft with suitable equipment for an IFR flight. But I get very uncomfortable being in IMC when I haven't specifically planned the flight with IMC in mind. My immediate actions would be exactly the same as if I didn't have an IMC rating or an IR - I would either do a 180-degree turn if I'd flown forwards into the cloud, or if (far more likely) I've climbed into cloud I would either continue climbing if I was below MSA, or descend if I was above MSA. I would be very unlikely to continue the flight in IMC.
(Granted, though, that this doesn't answer the original question, which related specifically to the air law aspects!)
FFF
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