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 training. Many firms have or even more the other, and I reckon that large firms may subscribe to both. Despite access a minimum of one of these, I discovered that I might find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available on a daily basis.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” obtainable. It provides simple follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research also as the specifics of law libraries for people who have access to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, Indian law library sources of law, state versus federal law, along with the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Products. This chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that are free. I like the ideas and warnings through out the book also. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know an individual go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law extra flab to research, what resources will help you with the simple fact is to find, and figuring out your legal research question. This is important, you wish to know that which you are really interested in before proceeding 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, et cetera. Many lawyers will possess a lot of these kinds of resources, and will find even more at a law library. This chapter gives a brief brief review 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 obtain 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. Both of these are essential depending on your particular issue. This chapter is an efficient introduction for this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have previously been made a decision. These cases interpreted laws and have been the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is in the following paragraphs a famous case of which may be looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn the right way to use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases within the law collection.
Seven: Using Case Legal system. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will help you.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the tip earlier, so, as chapter goes further aid you specialist you have “good legal.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are striving to make in a situation yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the associated with things lawyers know lots 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, you must put that find in written form for homeowners who asked in which find it. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough while 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 legal court process resulting in 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 the research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach realistic to research. It’s very short, so it will provide the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to look at the law and do finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The next 100 plus pages is really a glossary, that your person would not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics plus an index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the individual who wants or needs complete legal research but does not know where to begin. If you are required to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description belonging to the legal research process for everyone without a law degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020