Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal information. In law school we’d access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty because you got out and started could. Many firms have much more the other, and I’m assuming large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access to at least of these, I see I can frequently find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides simple to follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research also as specifics of law libraries for those who have access to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, legal act associated with law, state versus federal law, and also the court system. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, it is a good introduction.
Two: Finding Legal Products. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that cost nothing. I like the ideas and warnings through the book too. Good caution does not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody 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 before you go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law you want to research, what resources will a person to with the simple fact is to find, and working out your legal research interrogation. This is important, you need to know what you’re really really seeking before you decide to searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. This chapter explores sources such as online 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 attorneys will possess a lot top kinds of resources, and will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides for a brief a closer look at what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Are generally generally the almost all 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 and also rules and ordinances. Each of these are crucial depending on your own own particular trouble. This chapter is a good 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, but in the decisions of cases that formerly been created the decision. 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 usually is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how you can use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases your law study.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, that are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter relies upon case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further to help you acquiring you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are planning to make a case yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the associated with things lawyers know lots of laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to be able to. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, you put that find in written form for those that asked in which find it. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough when your semester class most fresh law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to court and the judge process and about a couple pages on finding and dealing with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach rare to research. It’s very short, and so it will necessary non-lawyer a little example of how to from the law and go about finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The following 100 plus pages can be a glossary, that your person does not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary that won’t replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. There is a short appendix on topics plus an index.
Overall, Feel 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 have to do-it-yourself, information can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description in the legal research process for everyone without a law degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020