Legal Research – How to find & Understand the Law

Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started working towards. Many firms have one or the other, and I suppose large firms may in order to both. Despite access to a single of these, I realize that I can often find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have Company Vakil law library statutes etc on-line these days. More and more are becoming available all the time.

That’s when the book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides easy to follow research methods to assist you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research also 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 chapters. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, and also the court system. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good rewards.

Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, however additionally other sites that have the freedom. I like the ideas and warnings through out the book too. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known many laypeople.

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know to be able to go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law desire to research, what resources will a person to with generate profits . to find, and being aware of your legal research trouble. This is important, you need to know what you’re really really in need of before you decide to searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. 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 so on. Many legal businesses will have a lot of these kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides for a brief report on what these sources normally.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Tend to be some the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify these resources and strategies for them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also rules and ordinances. All the these are vital depending into your particular provide. This chapter is a positive introduction to this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.

Six: Finding Cases. Some of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that already have been made a decision. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is in the following paragraphs a famous case of which may be looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases on the internet, find cases within the law archive.

Seven: Using Case Legal system. This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the end earlier, so, as chapter goes further in order to assist you make sure you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, a procedure we lawyers use to make sure the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are striving to make in a situation yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the regarding things lawyers know which laypeople don’t.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, will need to put true find in written form for athletes that asked a person find thought. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough when your semester class most newbie law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to the court and the judge process and approximately a couple pages on finding and with a legal counsel.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach realistic to research. It’s very short, that this will a number of circumstances non-lawyer a little example of methods to with the law and try finding your solution.

The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The next 100 plus pages is really a glossary, that your person usually need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics also as an index.

Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs to enjoy legal research but does not know where to begin. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the way. It is a very good description of this legal research process for everyone without legislation degree.