Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started training. Many firms have much more the other, and I’m assuming large firms may in order to both. Even with access to a single of these, I realize that I often 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” obtainable. It provides to be able to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research as well as specifics of law libraries for people that have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions of the things the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, and also the court network. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, additionally other sites that cost nothing. I like the guidelines and warnings through the actual book too. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known ordinarily laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know to be able to go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law extra flab to research, what resources will a person to with generate profits . to find, and finding out your legal research ponder. This is important, you need to know what you’re really really interested in before you travel 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, and many. Many law firms will have a lot of your kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides for a brief overview of what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. These are the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to find these resources and strategies for them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. Both of these are important depending on your own own particular hassle. This chapter is a positive introduction for this world of “laws” for all those 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 previously been figured. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ 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 how you can use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases your law collection.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, that are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the top earlier, which chapter goes further support you specialist you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are wanting make a suit yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the associated with things lawyers know that many laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research unit. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, you must put people find in written form for those that asked you find getting this done. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough currently being the semester class most first year India law library students take, but good for the non-lawyer. There is a brief section about going to court and the legal court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and dealing with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach rare to research. It’s very short, it will provide the non-lawyer just a little example of how to in the law and begin finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The other 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person commonly need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs you need to do legal research but does not know where to start. If you have to do-it-yourself, information can lead the chance. It is a very good description of this legal research process for those without legislation degree.