Legal Research – How to locate & Understand the Law
Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty whenever you got out and started practicing. Many firms have one or the other, and I’m assuming large firms may for you to both. Even with access to at least of these, I realize that I often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line these days. More and more are becoming available often.
That’s when the book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides to be able to follow Company Vakil legal library research methods to assist you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research also as the specifics of law libraries for those that have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, and the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that are free. I like the guidelines and warnings through the actual book too. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know before you go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law extra flab to research, what resources will assist you with generate profits . to find, and being aware of your legal research trouble. This is important, you need to know what you are really looking for before planning searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. This chapter explores sources such the way 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 attorneys will possess a lot of these kinds of resources, and you will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides a brief a closer look at what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. Each of these are essential depending into your particular provide. This chapter is a good introduction for this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A wide variety of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that already have been made a decision. These cases interpreted laws and are usually the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is individuals a famous case which usually is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases on your internet, find cases each morning law study.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what a case is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter relies on case law, this chapter will help you.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further aid you acquiring you have “good law.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are searching make a suit yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the associated with things lawyers know lots of laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, will need to put that find in written form for athletes that asked in which find the concept. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough currently being the semester class most novice law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to the court and legal court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and dealing with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach rare to research. It’s very short, and so it will a number of circumstances non-lawyer a little example of how to the the law and begin finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The next 100 plus pages is a glossary, that your person does not need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics plus an index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs complete legal research but does not know the place to begin. If you have to do-it-yourself, information can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description for this legal research process for all those without a law degree.
