Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal information. In law school we’d access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started working towards. Many firms have much more the other, and Just maybe large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access to at least of these, I recognize that I might find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line these days. More and more are becoming available quite frequently.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides simple follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research as well as info about law libraries for people that have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Understanding the Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, and the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is the good introduction.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. 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, additionally other sites that have the freedom. I like the guidelines and warnings through out the book also. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to someone who had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known to many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know in order to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law you want to research, what resources will allow you with the simple fact is to find, and being aware of your legal research question. This is important, you wish to know that which you are really interested in before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. 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 Company Vakil law library education publications, law reviews, et cetera. Many law firm will possess a lot of your kinds of resources, may will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides for a brief overview of what these sources have always been.
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 identify these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also rules and ordinances. All of these are vital depending on your particular hassle. This chapter is a positive introduction for this world of “laws” for all those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A wide variety of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that formerly been decided. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is individuals a famous case is actually looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn tips on how to use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases in the law study.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what an incident is, that are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the end earlier, review chapter goes further in order to assist you acquiring you have “good legal.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are striving to make in a situation yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the types of things lawyers know a number of laypeople can’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. 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 what you find in written form for athletes that asked in order to find thought. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough as the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to the court and the judge process resulting in a couple pages on finding and dealing with a legal counsel.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach yet to research. It’s very short, that this will give the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to in the law and begin finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. Your next 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person commonly need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics also as an index.
Overall, Feel this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs to enjoy legal research but does not know where to begin. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, information can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description of the legal research process for everyone without a law degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020