Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school we access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty because you got out and started studying. Many firms have one or the other, and I’m assuming large firms may in order to both. Despite access to at least of these, I discovered that I can frequently find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available often.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides for you to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research too as info on law libraries for Company Vakil law library people who have access to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Understanding the Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, and also the court network. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that have the freedom. I like the tips and warnings through out the book as well. Good caution 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 to many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know for you to go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law extra flab to research, what resources will assist you with try not to to find, and figuring out your legal research trouble. This is important, you want to know what you’re really seeking before planning searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. This chapter explores sources such the way 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 of your kinds of resources, and will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides for a brief a closer look at what these sources normally.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Components the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and strategies for them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also other rules and ordinances. All of these are essential depending against your particular issue. This chapter is a positive introduction for this world of “laws” for those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that formerly been made a 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 one of a famous case which usually is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn tips on how to use citations to find cases, find cases on top of the internet, find cases each morning law archive.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what in instances is, how they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the tip earlier, review chapter goes further in order to assist you guaranteed that you have “good legal.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are striving to make a case yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the regarding things lawyers know lots of laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research unit. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, you put people find in written form for those that asked you to find it. 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 judge process and about a couple pages on finding and working with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how get the facts, and then how to approach yet to research. It’s very short, so it will provide the non-lawyer a little example of how to in the law and do finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. Another 100 plus pages can be a glossary, which a person does not need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs complete legal research but does not know where do you start. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, information can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description of this legal research process for all those without a law degree.