Not everyone is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty because you got out and started practicing. Many firms have one or the other, and Just maybe large firms may for you to both. Despite access to 1 of these, I realize that I can frequently find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available on a daily basis.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides to be able to follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. The book 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 sections. The chapters include:
One: Regulations Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, and the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, it is a good introduction.
Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that have the freedom. I like the ideas and warnings through the actual book as well. Good caution that not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know before you go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law desire to research, what resources will allow you with what you need to find, and deciding on your legal research trouble. This is important, you need to know what you are really interested in before you go searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. This chapter explores sources such exactly how 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 legal businesses will possess a lot because of kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides a brief a closer look at what these sources normally.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. Both of these tend to be crucial depending on your own own particular trouble. This chapter is a positive introduction for this world of “laws” for those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A lot of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have previously been decided. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is in the following paragraphs 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 your internet, find cases in the law study.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, that they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the tip earlier, see chapter goes further in order to assist you specialist you have “good police.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are striving to make a situation yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the associated with things lawyers know that many laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to be able to. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, you put people find in written form for those that asked in order to find it. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough currently being the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to court and the court process and about a couple pages on finding and dealing with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach realistic to research. It’s very short, it will give the non-lawyer a little example of methods to look at the India law library and begin finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The other 100 plus pages can be a glossary, which a person would not need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. As there are a short appendix on topics along with an index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs to enjoy legal research but doesn’t know where to start. If you have to do-it-yourself, information can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description in the legal research process for everyone without legislation degree.