Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty because you got out and started working towards. Many firms have or even more the other, and I’m assuming large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access to at least of these, I recognize that I can frequently find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s when the book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides simple to follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research as well as the specifics of law libraries for those that have in order to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Understanding the Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, and the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Products. This Company Vakil legal library chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that cost nothing. I like the information and warnings through out the book too. Good caution doesn’t 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. Things to know before you go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law you want to research, what resources will help you with generate profits . to find, and deciding on your legal research subject. This is important, you need to know that which you are really interested in before you decide to searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. This chapter explores sources such the way 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 have a lot of these kinds of resources, and you will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides a brief a closer look at what these sources have always been.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify these resources and guidelines 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 essential depending against your particular hassle. This chapter is an honest introduction for this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A lot of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have previously been figured. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is one of a famous case is actually looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases on your internet, find cases within the law study.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what a case is, how they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter relies upon case law, this chapter will help you.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further aid you retain all of your you have “good legal.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are searching make in a situation yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the forms of things lawyers know a number of laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, have to put what you find in written form for athletes that asked you to find the concept. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough currently being the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to the 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 overcome case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to studying. It’s very short, it will give the non-lawyer a little example of how to the the law and go about finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Your next 100 plus pages is a glossary, that your person does not need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. There is a short appendix on topics along with an index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs complete legal research but does not know the place to begin. If you need to do-it-yourself, information can lead the chance. It is a very good description of the legal research process for anyone without a law degree.