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 because you got out and started working towards. Many firms have one or the other, and Just maybe large firms may for you to both. Despite access to at least of these, I find that I often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides for you to follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research too as info about law libraries for people who have access to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, as well as the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, however additionally other sites that have the freedom. I like the information and warnings through the actual book also. Good caution doesn’t every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known to many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know before you go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law you want to research, what resources will allow you with the simple fact is to find, and working out your legal research ponder. This is important, you need to know what you’re really really in need of before you decide to searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Experts. This chapter explores sources such as online resources (including a bit about deciding if reliable), self-help legal books, legal encyclopedias, form books, practice manuals, continuing legal education publications, law reviews, as well as the. Many law firms will have a lot of these kinds of resources, and will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides brief overview of what these sources are.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Tend to be some the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and guidelines them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also other rules and ordinances. Both of these tend to be crucial depending on your own own particular factor. This chapter is a good introduction for this world of “laws” for all those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A lot of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that formerly been made a decision. These cases interpreted laws and have grown to be the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is individuals a famous case that 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 inside of law archive.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what in instances is, how they are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter relies upon case law, this chapter will help you.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the end earlier, and this chapter goes further support you retain all of your you have “good law.” It teaches you the best way to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use to make sure the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are planning to make in instances yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the forms of things lawyers know a number of laypeople never.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, will need to put that find in written form for those asked you to find it. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough while the semester class most novice law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to the court and a legal court process resulting in a couple pages on finding and working with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach common law library realistic to knowledge. It’s very short, the software will provide the non-lawyer a little example of methods to look at the law and go about finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. Another 100 plus pages is often a glossary, that your person does not need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary that won’t replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics and 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 does not know where to begin. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the mode. It is a very good description of the legal research process for anyone without a law degree.