Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started studying. Many firms have one or the other, and I suppose large firms may to be able to both. Even with access a minimum of one of these, I find that I can frequently find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides simple follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research too as the specifics of law libraries for people who have access to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, along with the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, it is a good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that cost nothing. I like the guidelines and warnings through the actual book also. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to someone who had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know an individual go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law you want to research, what resources will an individual with generate profits . to find, and finding out your legal research interrogation. This is important, you want to know actually really looking for before you decide to searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. This chapter explores sources such marketing and advertising 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 firm will have a lot of these kinds of resources, and will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides for a brief overview of what these sources have always been.
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 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. All of these are essential depending against your particular trouble. This chapter is a superior introduction for this world of “laws” for people 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 already have been made a decision. These cases interpreted laws and have been the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is an example of a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how to use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases each morning law collection.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the end earlier, see chapter goes further to help you retain all of your you have “good law.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are searching make a case yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the associated with things lawyers know lots of laypeople never.
Nine: Organizing and India law library Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, ought to put people find in written form for those that asked a person find getting this done. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough when your semester class most 1st year law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and the legal court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach yet to research. It’s very short, and so it will necessary non-lawyer a little example of methods to with the law and go about finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The other 100 plus pages can be a glossary, which a person commonly need should they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. As there are a short appendix on topics plus an index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs you need to do legal research but doesn’t know the place to begin. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description for this legal research process for anyone without a law degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020