Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we’d access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty because you got out and started could. Many firms have one or the other, and I suppose large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access to at least of these, I discovered that I often find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available often.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides for you to follow research methods to assist you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research as well as info on law libraries for people that have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, and also the court system. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, additionally other sites that are free of charge. I like the guidelines and warnings through the book also. Good caution that not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know before you go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law desire to research, what resources will assist you with may well be a to find, and being aware of your legal research ponder. This is important, you wish to know actually really interested in before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. 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, and so on. Many law firms will have a lot of your kinds of resources, and you will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides for a brief an assessment what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. These are the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to find these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations together with other rules and ordinances. Each of these are important depending into your particular factor. This chapter is a good introduction to this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have already been decided. 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 easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases on top of the internet, find cases each morning law archive.
Seven: Using Case Legal system. This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter relies on case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the end earlier, review chapter goes further support you acquiring you have “good police.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, an operation we Indian law library lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are wanting make a case yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the regarding things lawyers know plenty of laypeople can’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to be able to. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is research. Once you find the information, you must put true find in written form for athletes that asked in order to find the concept. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough while the semester class most novice law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to court and the legal court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and dealing with a legal counsel.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how get the facts, and then how to approach rare to become familiar with. It’s very short, it will necessary non-lawyer just a little example of methods to the the law and accomplish finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The next 100 plus pages can be a glossary, which a person usually need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but decent resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs to attempt legal research but doesn’t know the place to begin. If you are required to do-it-yourself, information can lead the way. It is a very good description in the legal research process for those without a law degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020