Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal information. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty because you got out and started studying. Many firms have one or the other, and Just maybe large firms may to be able to both. Even with access to at least of these, I see I can frequently find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available on a daily basis.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides to be able to follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research as well as info about law libraries for those that have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Regulations Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, and also the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good introduction.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that have the freedom. I like the tips and warnings through the actual book as well. Good caution does not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know to be able to go looking, like could be the case civil or India law library criminal, figuring the actual area of law desire to research, what resources will an individual with may well be a to find, and working out your legal research subject. This is important, you want to know what you’re really really interested in before proceeding searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Experts. 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, as well as the. Many law firms will possess a lot of these kinds of resources, an individual will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides for a brief brief review what these sources are typically.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to find these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations together with other rules and ordinances. Both of these are crucial depending against your particular issue. This chapter is an efficient introduction for this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A wide variety of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have previously been figured. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ 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 on top of the internet, find cases within the law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case Legal system. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the tip earlier, review chapter goes further support you guaranteed that you have “good law.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are striving to make a suit yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know plenty of laypeople don’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to be able to. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, ought to put true find in written form for those asked in which find getting this done. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough while the semester class most 1st year law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to the court and a legal court process resulting in a couple pages on finding and with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach realistic to become familiar with. It’s very short, so it will provide the non-lawyer a little example of how to with the law and begin finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Your next 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person commonly need should they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. There is a short appendix on topics along with an index.
Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the individual who wants or needs to enjoy legal research but does not know where do you start. If you are required to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the mode. It is a very good description for this legal research process for all those without a law degree.