Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started training. Many firms have or even more the other, and I suppose large firms may for you to both. Even with access to a single of these, I see I can frequently find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available often.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” obtainable. It provides simple follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research too as info about law libraries for people that have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, as well as the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is the good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that are free. I like the guidelines and warnings through out the book too. Good caution that 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 since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know in order to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law you want to research, what resources will an individual with generate profits . to find, and figuring out your legal research ponder. This is important, you want to know what you’re really really seeking before planning searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. 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 attorneys will have a lot of these kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief an assessment what these sources are.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify 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. Both of these are vital depending against your particular issue. This chapter is an efficient introduction for this world of “laws” for all those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A wide variety of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have previously 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 an example of a famous case that is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how you can use citations to find cases, find cases on your internet, find cases your law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what an instance is, how they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the tip earlier, and this chapter goes further that can you acquiring you have “good legal.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are searching make a situation yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the forms of things lawyers know lots of laypeople don’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing common law library clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is research. Once you find the information, you put that find in written form for things that asked you find thought. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough even though the semester class most first year law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. There is a brief section about going to court and the legal court process leading to a couple pages on finding and dealing with a lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach rare to research. It’s very short, and so it will supply the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to the the law and begin finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Your next 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person would not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. As there are a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs to do legal research but doesn’t know where do you start. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the chance. It is a very good description of the legal research process for everyone without legislation degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020