Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal natural resources. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started working towards. Many firms have one or the other, and I suppose large firms may for you to both. Even with access to a single of these, I discovered that I often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line these days. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s if the book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides simple to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research also as info on law libraries for people who have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, sources of law, state versus federal common law library, as well as the court system. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, additionally other sites that are free. I like the tips and warnings through out the book also. Good caution that not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know for you to go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law desire to research, what resources will an individual with generate profits . to find, and working out your legal research trouble. This is important, you want to know actually really seeking before proceeding searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. This chapter explores sources such exactly how 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 possess a lot because of kinds of resources, an individual will find even more at a law library. This chapter offers a brief an assessment what these sources are.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Are generally generally the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to find these resources and guidelines them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations along with rules and ordinances. Just about all these are essential depending into your particular provide. This chapter is a positive introduction to this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have previously been figured. These cases interpreted laws and have been the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people 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 on top of the internet, find cases each morning law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what in instances is, that they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the top earlier, see chapter goes further aid you make sure you have “good legal.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are trying to make a case yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the forms of things lawyers know which laypeople don’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 athletes that asked in order to find the product. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough when your semester class most fresh law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to the court and a legal court process and about a couple pages on finding and working with a lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how get the facts, and then how to approach yet to knowledge. It’s very short, so it will necessary non-lawyer a little example of how to in the law and try finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The other 100 plus pages is a glossary, that your person would not need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics plus an index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the individual who wants or needs you need to do legal research but doesn’t know where to start. If you need to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the mode. It is a very good description of this legal research process for everyone without a law degree.