Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal natural resources. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started training. Many firms have or even more the other, and I’m assuming large firms may subscribe to both. Despite access to one of these, I recognize that I often find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line these days. More and more are becoming available often.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides to be able to follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research also as the specifics of law libraries for those that have access to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Regulations Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, regarding law, state versus federal law, and the court network. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is the good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that are free of charge. I like the tips and warnings through the actual book also. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known numerous laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know to be able to go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law would like to to research, what resources will a person to with generate profits . to find, and figuring out your legal research ponder. This is important, you want to know what you are really in need of before you go searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. 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 so on. Many legal businesses will possess a lot of these kinds of resources, and will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief a closer look at what these sources have always been.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. These are the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to these resources and guidelines them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations together with other rules and ordinances. All the these are essential depending against your particular factor. This chapter is a positive introduction for this world of “laws” for all those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that already have 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 difficulties are people 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 top of the internet, find cases in the law study.
Seven: Using Case Legal Company Vakil law library system. This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, that they are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter relies upon case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further support you guaranteed that you have “good law.” It teaches you the best way to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are searching make in instances yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the forms of things lawyers know plenty of laypeople don’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is research. Once you find the information, will need to put that find in written form for those asked in order to find it. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough as the semester class most novice law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to court and legal court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how get the facts, and then how to approach yet to research. It’s very short, so it will provide the non-lawyer a little example of how to look at the law and try finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. Your next 100 plus pages can be a glossary, that your person does not need they were 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 also as an index.
Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs you need to do legal research but doesn’t know how to start. If you have to do-it-yourself, information can lead the way. It is a very good description for this legal research process for all those without a law degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020