Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal natural resources. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started studying. Many firms have much more the other, and I reckon that large firms may to be able to both. Even with access to a single of these, I realize that I often find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides for you to follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research too as specifics of law libraries for those who have in order to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, as well as 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 Equipment. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that cost nothing. I like the ideas and warnings through out the book also. Good caution that not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know to be able to go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law you would like to research, what resources will a person to with may well be a to find, and figuring out your legal research trouble. This is important, you wish to know what you’re really in need of before you decide to searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. 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, and many. Many legal businesses will possess a lot of these kinds of resources, an individual also 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. Are generally generally the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover these resources and guidelines them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations along with rules and ordinances. Each of these tend to be crucial depending into your particular issue. This chapter is a good introduction for this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Some of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have already been created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and are usually the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is one of a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases on the internet, find cases each morning law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, that they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the end earlier, so, as chapter goes further to help you make sure you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are searching make a situation yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the associated with things lawyers know which laypeople never.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to be able to. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, you must put genuine find in written form for those asked a person find the concept. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough while the semester class most Company Vakil legal library novice law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. There is a brief section about going to the court and the court process leading to a couple pages on finding and with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach rare to studying. It’s very short, and so it will provide the non-lawyer a little example of how to from the law and go about finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. Another 100 plus pages is a glossary, which a person would not need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs to do legal research but doesn’t know where to start. If you are required to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description of this legal research process for any without a law degree.