Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when ever you got out and started working towards. Many firms have one or the other, and Just maybe large firms may for you to both. Despite access to 1 of these, I find that 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 when the book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides simple to follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research as well as info on law libraries for people who have access to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, and the court network. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that have the freedom. I like the ideas and warnings through the actual book also. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to another kid that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known ordinarily laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know before you go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law would like to to research, what resources will assist you with the simple fact is to find, and finding out your legal research ponder. This is important, you want to know what you’re really really interested in before proceeding searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. This chapter explores sources such the way 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 attorneys will have a lot in their kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides for a brief India law library overview of what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Tend to be some the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations along with rules and ordinances. All of these are essential depending on top of your particular hassle. This chapter is a good introduction to this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Some of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that formerly been made a decision. 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 easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases on the internet, find cases within the law study.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what a case is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the end earlier, which chapter goes further support you specialist you have “good guideline.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are trying to make in a situation yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the types of things lawyers know a number of laypeople can’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, you put genuine find in written form for those asked a person find thought. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough currently being the semester class most novice law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to court and a legal court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and working with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach yet to research. It’s very short, the software will supply the non-lawyer just a little example of how to in the law and do finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The other 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person usually need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics along with 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 to begin. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, information can lead the mode. It is a very good description of this legal research process for those without a law degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020