Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started studying. Many firms have one or the other, and I reckon that large firms may in order to both. Despite access to one of these, I see I often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available quite frequently.
That’s when the book “Legal Research” obtainable. It provides simple to follow research methods to assist you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research also as info about law libraries for people that have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Understanding the Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, regarding law, state versus federal law, and the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that are free of charge. I like the tips and warnings through out the book also. Good caution does not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known ordinarily laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know for you to go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law extra flab to research, what resources will help you with what you need to find, and figuring out your legal research question. This is important, you need to know what you are really hunting for before proceeding searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Experts. This chapter explores sources such understanding of resources (including a bit about deciding if reliable), self-help legal books, legal encyclopedias, form books, practice manuals, continuing legal education publications, law Company Vakil legal library reviews, and so on. Many law firms will have a lot top kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides brief an assessment what these sources normally.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Components the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover these resources and how to use them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also other rules and ordinances. Each of these tend to be crucial depending on your particular provide. This chapter is a positive introduction to this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have previously been decided. These cases interpreted laws and have grown to be 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 the right way to use citations to find cases, find cases on the internet, find cases in the law collection.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, how they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the end earlier, which chapter goes further aid you guaranteed that you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, a procedure we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are trying to make a suit yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the regarding things lawyers know lots 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 research. Once you find the information, have to put what you find in written form for those that asked in order to find it. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough as the semester class most first year law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to court and the judge process leading to a couple pages on finding and working with a lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to knowledge. It’s very short, the software will a number of circumstances non-lawyer just a little example of how to with the law and begin finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The following 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person does not need should they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary that won’t replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics also as an index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs you need to do legal research but doesn’t know where to begin. If you are required to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the chance. It is a very good description belonging to the legal research process for any without a law degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020