Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal information. In law school we access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started studying. Many firms have much more the other, and I reckon that large firms may to be able to both. Despite access to 1 of these, I discovered that I can often find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available quite frequently.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” obtainable. It provides easy to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research too as info on law libraries for those who have access to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, and also the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was legal act written for, this may be a good be released.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, however additionally other sites that are free of charge. I like the ideas and warnings through out the book as well. Good caution that 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 ordinarily laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know in order to go looking, like may 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 figuring out your legal research interrogation. This is important, you want to know what you’re really seeking before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Experts. 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, as well as the. Many legal businesses will have a lot of your kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter offers a brief an assessment what these sources are typically.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. These are the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover these resources and how to use them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also rules and ordinances. Just about all these are important depending on top of your particular issue. This chapter is an efficient introduction to this world of “laws” for those 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 decided. These cases interpreted laws and have been the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is an example of a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn the right way to use citations to find cases, find cases on top of the internet, find cases your law library.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, that are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Search for. I pointed out the end earlier, so, as chapter goes further in order to assist you specialist you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are planning to make a situation yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know which laypeople never.
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, you must put genuine find in written form for things that asked you find getting this done. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough while the semester class most 1st year law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to court and a legal court process resulting in a couple pages on finding and with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter supplies a research problem, how get the facts, and then how to approach the question to knowledge. It’s very short, the software will provide the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to in the law and do finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The following 100 plus pages can be a glossary, which a person would not need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs to enjoy legal research but doesn’t know where to start. If you must do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the mode. It is a very good description in the legal research process for any without a law degree.