Legal Research – How to locate & Understand the Law

Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school we’d access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started training. Many firms have one or the other, and I’m assuming large firms may for you to both. Despite access to 1 of these, I see I can frequently find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available normally.

That’s if the book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides simple to follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research as well as info on 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: Understanding the Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, along with the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good acclimatation.

Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that are free. I like the information and warnings through the actual book too. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known ordinarily laypeople.

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know in order to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law would like to to research, what resources will a person to with may well be a to find, and finding out your legal research subject. This is important, you need to know what you are really looking for before you decide to searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. 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, et cetera. Many law firm will have a lot in their kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at legislation library. This chapter offers a brief overview of what these sources have always been.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to 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 important depending into your particular provide. This chapter is an honest introduction for 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, however in the decisions of cases that formerly been figured. These cases interpreted laws and have grown to be 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 your internet, find cases your law archive.

Seven: Using Case Legal system. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, that they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will aid you.

Eight: Validating Your Search for. I pointed out the tip earlier, review chapter goes further aid you retain all of your you have “good Indian law library.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are searching make a situation yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the types of things lawyers know a number of laypeople do not ever.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, you must put people find in written form for those that asked in which find the product. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough as the semester class most first year law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to the court and a legal court process resulting in a couple pages on finding and working with a legal practitioner.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach yet to studying. It’s very short, so it will a number of circumstances non-lawyer just a little example of how to from the law and do finding your answer.

The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Another 100 plus pages can be a glossary, which a person would not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary that won’t replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. As there are a short appendix on topics also as an index.

Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the individual who wants or needs to attempt legal research but doesn’t know how to start. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description of this legal research process for those without a law degree.