Legal Research – How to locate & Understand the Law

Not anyone can 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 because you got out and started practicing. Many firms have or even more the other, and I’m assuming large firms may in order to both. Despite access to at least of these, I see I can often find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available normally.

That’s where the book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides for you to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research also as the specifics of law libraries for those who have in order to one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, along with the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is the good introduction.

Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, however additionally other sites that cost nothing. I like the guidelines and warnings through out 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 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 extra flab to research, what resources will a person to with generate profits . to find, and figuring out your legal research subject. This is important, you wish to know that which you are really hunting for before you go searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. This chapter explores sources such marketing and advertising 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 your kinds of resources, and you will find even more at a law library. This chapter gives a brief a closer look at what these sources are typically.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the 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 and also rules and ordinances. Just about all these are important depending into your particular trouble. This chapter is a superior introduction for this world of “laws” for anyone 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 decided. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is individuals a famous case is actually 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 each morning law archive.

Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what in instances is, that are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the top earlier, so, as chapter goes further aid you acquiring you have “good legal.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, a procedure we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are striving to make in instances yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the forms of things lawyers know that many laypeople do not ever.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, will need to put what you find in written form for homeowners who asked in order to find getting this done. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not as thorough while the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to the court and the legal court process and about a couple pages on finding and with a personal injury lawyer.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach rare to knowledge. It’s very short, it will provide 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. The following 100 plus pages is a glossary, which a person commonly need should they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal legal act dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. Plus there is 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 attempt legal research but does not know where do you start. If you need to do-it-yourself, information can lead the chance. It is a very good description for this legal research process for everyone without legislation degree.