Not everybody is able to 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 for when you got out and started practicing. Many firms have or even more the other, and Just maybe large firms may for you to both. Even with access to a single of these, I see I can sometimes find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available often.
That’s if the book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides simple follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research too as specifics of law libraries for people that have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, and the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that are free. I like the ideas and warnings through out the book as well. 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 since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know in order to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law desire to research, what resources will assist you with may well be a to find, and figuring out your legal research ponder. This is important, you need to know what you’re really really looking for before proceeding searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Experts. This chapter explores sources such understanding of resources (common law library including a bit about deciding if reliable), self-help legal books, legal encyclopedias, form books, practice manuals, continuing legal education publications, law reviews, as well as the. Many law firms will have a lot because of kinds of resources, and will find even more at a law library. This chapter offers a brief overview of what these sources are.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover 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 also other rules and ordinances. Each of these are crucial depending against your particular issue. This chapter is a superior introduction for this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that previously been created the 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 in the following paragraphs 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 top of the internet, find cases your law study.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter relies upon case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the top earlier, and this chapter goes further aid you specialist you have “good guideline.” It teaches you the best way to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are searching make a situation yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the associated with things lawyers know which laypeople can’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research unit. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is research. Once you find the information, will need to put that find in written form for athletes that asked in order to find getting this done. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough even though the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to court and the court process resulting in a couple pages on finding and dealing with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter supplies a research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to knowledge. It’s very short, and so it will supply the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to from the law and do finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. Your next 100 plus pages can be a glossary, that your person does not need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. As there are a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs you need to do legal research but does not know where do you start. If you need to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description in the legal research process for everyone without legislation degree.