Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. 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 one or the other, and I’m assuming large firms may subscribe to both. Despite access a minimum of one 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 these days. More and more are becoming available often.
That’s when the book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides to be able to follow research methods to assist you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research also as info on law libraries for people who have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Understanding the Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, as well as the court network. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that are free of charge. I like the information and warnings through out the book also. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know to be able to go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law would like to to research, what resources will an individual with may well be a to find, and working out your legal research question. This is important, you want to know what you are really hunting for before you go 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, et cetera. Many law firms will have a lot of your kinds of resources, may will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides a brief a closer look at what these sources have always been.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Components 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. All of these are vital depending into your particular hassle. This chapter is a superior introduction to this world of “laws” for 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 made a decision. These cases interpreted laws and are usually the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is an example of a famous case which usually is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how to use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases inside of law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what in instances is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will help you.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the tip earlier, review chapter goes further support you retain all of your you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are searching make in a situation yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the associated with things lawyers know plenty of Company Vakil law library laypeople don’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to be able to. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, ought to put true find in written form for those that asked in order to find the product. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough while the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to the court and the legal court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to become familiar with. It’s very short, it will supply the non-lawyer a little example of how to with the law and try finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. Another 100 plus pages is a glossary, which a person usually need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. As there are a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs you need to do legal research but does not know where do you start. If you have to do-it-yourself, information can lead the mode. It is a very good description of the legal research process for any without a law degree.