Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal information. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started studying. Many firms have or even more the other, and I reckon that large firms may for you to both. Even with access a minimum of one of these, I recognize that I might find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s if the book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides simple to follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research as well as information regarding law libraries for those that have access to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, as well as the court network. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is the good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This common law library chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, however additionally other sites that are free. I like the information and warnings through the actual book as well. Good caution that not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to someone who had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know before you 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 generate profits . to find, and deciding on your legal research ponder. This is important, you want to know what you’re really in need of 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, and so on. Many law firms will possess a lot of these kinds of resources, and will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief overview of what these sources normally.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Are generally generally the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify these resources and strategies for 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 crucial depending on your own own particular hassle. This chapter is an honest introduction to this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have previously been figured. 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 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 your internet, find cases your law study.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what in instances is, that they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the end earlier, and this chapter goes further to help you retain all of your you have “good legal.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are striving to make a situation yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the forms of things lawyers know lots of laypeople can’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, you must put genuine find in written form for those asked you to find getting this done. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough even though the semester class most first year law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and the court process resulting in a couple pages on finding and working with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to become familiar with. 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 the way to go.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Your next 100 plus pages can be a glossary, which a person would not need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. As there are a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs to enjoy legal research but does not know where do you start. If you must do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description for this legal research process for anyone without legislation degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020