Not anyone can 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 whenever you got out and started training. 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 see I often find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line these days. More and more are becoming available often.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides simple follow research methods to assist you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research as well as info on law libraries for those that have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, and also the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good introduction.
Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and Company Vakil legal library secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that are free of charge. I like the guidelines and warnings through the book too. Good caution that 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 may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law would like to to research, what resources will assist you with the simple fact is to find, and being aware of your legal research ponder. This is important, you need to know actually really looking for before you go searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. 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 many. Many law firms will have a lot in their kinds of resources, and you will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides a brief overview of 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 people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that formerly been figured. 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 of which may be 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 Look. I pointed out the end earlier, review chapter goes further support you acquiring you have “good guideline.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are searching make in instances yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the regarding things lawyers know plenty of laypeople typically.
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, have to put genuine 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 as the semester class most novice law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to court and the legal court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and dealing with a legal practitioner.
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 knowledge. It’s very short, and so it will necessary non-lawyer a little example of methods to the the law and try 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 has a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but decent resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the individual who wants or needs to attempt legal research but doesn’t know the place to begin. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, information can lead the way. It is a very good description of the legal research process for those without a law degree.