Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started practicing. Many firms have one or the other, and Just maybe large firms may for you to both. Even with access to at least of these, I see I might find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s area book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides simple to follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research as well 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: Knowing Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, and also the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good be released.
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. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that cost nothing. I like the ideas and warnings through the book as well. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known to many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know before you go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law extra flab to research, what resources will help you with the simple fact is to find, and working out your legal research question. This is important, you need to know actually really seeking before proceeding 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, as well as the. Many lawyers will have a lot in their kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides a brief overview of what these sources normally.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and legal act Ordinances. Tend to be some the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to find 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. Each of these are important depending on your particular trouble. This chapter is an honest introduction to this world of “laws” for those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that formerly 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 of which may be looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how to use citations to find cases, find cases on the internet, find cases each morning law archive.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what a case is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will help you.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the end earlier, and this chapter goes further to help you acquiring you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are planning to make a suit yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the types of things lawyers know lots of laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, have to put people find in written form for those that asked in which find the concept. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough even though the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to court and the judge process and approximately a couple pages on finding and working with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach rare to knowledge. It’s very short, that this will a number of circumstances non-lawyer a little example of methods to from the law and begin finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. Another 100 plus pages is a glossary, that your person commonly need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. As there are a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the individual who wants or needs to do legal research but does not know the place to begin. 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 everyone without legislation degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020