Legal Research – How to find & Understand the Law
Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty whenever you got out and started studying. Many firms have much more the other, and Maybe large firms may in order to both. Despite access to one of these, I realize that I can sometimes find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line these days. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s when the book “Legal Research” accessible. It Company Vakil legal library 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 specifics of law libraries for those who have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Regulations Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, and also the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is the good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, additionally other sites that have the freedom. I like the guidelines and warnings through the actual book too. Good caution that not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known ordinarily 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 desire to research, what resources will a person to with what you need to find, and finding out your legal research interrogation. This is important, you need to know actually really seeking before you go searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. This chapter explores sources such understanding of 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 firm will have a lot in their kinds of resources, an individual will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides brief a closer look at what these sources normally.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Components the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify these resources and increase your website’s traffic them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. All of these are crucial depending into your particular hassle. This chapter is an honest introduction to this world of “laws” for 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 already been decided. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is an example of a famous case which usually is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases your law library.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, how they are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the top earlier, see chapter goes further in order to assist you acquiring you have “good law.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are planning to make in instances yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the forms of things lawyers know plenty of laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. 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 that asked you find the concept. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough as the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to the court and the court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and working with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach yet to become familiar with. It’s very short, it will give the non-lawyer a little example of how to from the law and begin finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The following 100 plus pages is a glossary, which a person does not need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary that won’t replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs to enjoy legal research but does not know where do you start. If you must do-it-yourself, information can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description of the legal research process for those without legislation degree.
