Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal information. In law school we had 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 suppose large firms may in order to both. Despite access to at least of these, I find that I might find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line these days. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s when the book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides simple to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research also as specifics of law libraries for those who have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, and the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is the good intro.
Two: Indian law library Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that have the freedom. I like the guidelines and warnings through the book too. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know in order to go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law would like to to research, what resources will a person to with may well be a to find, and figuring out your legal research interrogation. This is important, you wish to know what you’re really really hunting for before you decide to searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. 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 education publications, law reviews, and many. Many law firm will possess a lot in their kinds of resources, and you will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief an assessment what these sources are typically.
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 to obtain these resources and increase your website’s traffic them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations along with rules and ordinances. Just about all these are essential depending into your particular hassle. This chapter is a positive introduction to this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Some of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have already been created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and have grown to be the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is individuals a famous case that is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how to use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases each morning law study.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, that are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the end earlier, so, as chapter goes further in order to assist you acquiring you have “good police.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use guarantee that 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 laws.” These are the forms of things lawyers know which laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. 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 that asked a person find getting this done. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough currently being the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to the court and the legal court process resulting in a couple pages on finding and with a legal counsel.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach rare to studying. It’s very short, it will give the non-lawyer a little example of methods to the the law and try finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The following 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person does not need should they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics along with an index.
Overall, Feel this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs to attempt legal research but doesn’t know where do you start. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description of the legal research process for anyone without legislation degree.