Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started training. Many firms have much more the other, and I suppose large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access to a single of these, I recognize that I can sometimes find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s when the book “Legal Research” obtainable. It provides simple to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research also as specifics of law libraries for those that have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Understanding the Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, regarding law, state versus federal law, along with the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that cost nothing. I like the guidelines and warnings through out the book as well. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know for you to go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law would like to to research, what resources will a person to with may well be a to find, and being aware of your legal research question. This is important, you wish to know that which you are really seeking before you go searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. This chapter explores sources such marketing and advertising resources (including a bit about deciding if reliable), self-help legal books, legal encyclopedias, form books, practice manuals, continuing legal education publications, law reviews, and many. Many lawyers will have a lot because of kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at legislation library. This chapter offers a brief an assessment what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Are generally generally the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify these resources and increase your website’s traffic them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also rules and ordinances. All the these are crucial depending against your particular trouble. This chapter is an honest introduction for this world of “laws” for those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Some of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have already been figured. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is one of a famous case is actually looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how you can use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases in the law library.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Search for. I pointed out the tip earlier, review chapter goes further in order to assist you make sure you have “good legal.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, a procedure we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are searching make a case yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the kinds of things lawyers know which laypeople don’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research unit. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, have to put what you find in written form for those that asked you find thought. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Not as thorough currently being the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to the court and legal court process leading to a couple pages on finding and dealing with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because India law library lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter supplies a research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach yet to become familiar with. It’s very short, and so it will a number of circumstances non-lawyer just a little example of how to from the law and try finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The other 100 plus pages is a glossary, which a person commonly need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. There is a short appendix on topics along with an index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs to enjoy legal research but doesn’t know how to start. If you are required to do-it-yourself, information can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description in the legal research process for everyone without legislation degree.