Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school we access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty because you got out and started working towards. Many firms have or even more the other, and Maybe large firms may in order to both. Even with access to a single of these, I discovered that I often 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 quite frequently.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” obtainable. It provides easy to follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research as well as information regarding law libraries for those who have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions of the things the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, and the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this may be a good introduction.
Two: India law library Finding Legal Products. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, however additionally other sites that cost nothing. I like the ideas and warnings through out the book also. Good caution does 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 ordinarily laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know for you to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law you would like to research, what resources will help you with generate profits . to find, and working out your legal research question. This is important, you wish to know what you’re really interested in before planning searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. 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, et cetera. Many lawyers will have a lot of your kinds of resources, and will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief a closer look at what these sources normally.
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 uncover these resources and guidelines 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 vital depending on your own own particular trouble. This chapter is an efficient introduction to this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Some of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have previously been planned. 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 is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn tips on how to use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases within the law collection.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what an instance is, that are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter relies upon case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the tip earlier, and this chapter goes further in order to assist you make sure you have “good guideline.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, a procedure we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are planning to make a case yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the regarding things lawyers know a number 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 must put genuine find in written form for those asked you find thought. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough while the semester class most 1st year law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to the court and legal court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and working with a legal counsel.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to studying. It’s very short, the software will necessary non-lawyer just a little example of methods to look at the law and go about finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The other 100 plus pages is 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. Then there is a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs to attempt legal research but doesn’t know where do you start. If you need to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description in the legal research process for any without a law degree.