Legal Research – How to locate & Understand the Law
Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started could. Many firms have much more the other, and I reckon that large firms may in order to both. Despite access to one of these, I see I can sometimes find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s when the book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides easy to follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research too as information regarding law libraries for those that have in order to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Regulations Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, regarding law, state versus federal law, as well as the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, it is a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that are free. I like the information and warnings through the actual book as well. Good caution does not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know in order to go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law desire to research, what resources will a person to with generate profits . to find, and working out your legal research interrogation. This is important, you want to know that which you are really seeking before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. 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 so on. Many law firm will have a lot because of kinds of resources, and you will find even more at a India law library library. This chapter gives a brief brief review what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Tend to be some the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover these resources and strategies for them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. Both of these tend to be crucial depending on your own own particular factor. This chapter is an efficient introduction for this world of “laws” for those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A lot of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that formerly been created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and have been the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is an example of a famous case is actually looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn the right way to use citations to find cases, find cases on top of the internet, find cases within the law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what a case is, that they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the top earlier, so, as chapter goes further to help you retain all of your you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are striving to make in instances yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know a number of laypeople don’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, you put that find in written form for homeowners who asked in order to find thought. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not as thorough even though the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. There is a brief section about going to the court and the legal court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and with a lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach the question to knowledge. It’s very short, and so it will supply the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to the the law and accomplish finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The next 100 plus pages is really a glossary, which a person commonly need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. There is a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, Feel this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs to attempt legal research but does not know where to begin. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the chance. It is a very good description belonging to the legal research process for those without legislation degree.
