Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school there were 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 Just maybe large firms may subscribe to both. Despite access to 1 of these, I see I can often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line these days. More and more are becoming available quite frequently.
That’s if the book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides simple to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research as well as specifics of law libraries for people 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 with the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, as well as the court system. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good introduction.
Two: Finding Legal Products. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that are free of charge. I like the tips and warnings through the book too. Good caution doesn’t every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to another kid that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known ordinarily laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know in order to go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law desire to research, what resources will assist you with may well be a to find, and figuring out your legal research trouble. This is important, you wish to know that which you are really seeking before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. 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 lawyers will Indian law library possess a lot of your kinds of resources, an individual will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief a closer look at what these sources are.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. These are the bulk 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. Just about all these are crucial depending on your own own particular issue. This chapter is an efficient introduction to this world of “laws” for those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that previously been created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and are usually the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is individuals 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 on top of the internet, find cases in the law archive.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, that they are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter relies upon case law, this chapter will help you.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the top earlier, which chapter goes further support you specialist you have “good guideline.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use to make sure the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are planning to make a situation yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know that many laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research unit. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, have to put that find in written form for those asked you find the concept. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough even though the semester class most novice law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to the court and the court process and about a couple pages on finding and dealing with a legal counsel.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach realistic to research. It’s very short, the software will supply the non-lawyer just a little example of how to in the law and accomplish finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The following 100 plus pages is really a glossary, which a person does not need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. There is a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs complete legal research but does not know how to start. If you need to do-it-yourself, information can lead the way. It is a very good description of this legal research process for those without legislation degree.