Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal natural resources. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started could. Many firms have or even more the other, and I’m assuming large firms may in order to both. Despite access to at least of these, I see I might 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 where the book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides simple follow research methods to assist you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research too as info on 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: Regulations Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, regarding law, state versus federal law, along with the court network. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this may be a good be released.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter common law library explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that have the freedom. I like the information and warnings through 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 probably not known many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know for you to go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law would like to to research, what resources will allow you with the simple fact is to find, and deciding on your legal research trouble. This is important, you wish to know what you are really in need of before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Experts. 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, and so on. Many law firm will possess a lot in their kinds of resources, may will find even more at a law library. This chapter gives a brief report on what these sources normally.
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. Each of these are essential depending into your particular trouble. This chapter is an honest introduction for this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Some of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that formerly been decided. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case which usually is 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 in the law collection.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, that they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the tip earlier, so, as chapter goes further that can you retain all of your you have “good guideline.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, a procedure we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are striving to make a case yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the regarding things lawyers know which laypeople never.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to be able to. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, ought to put that find in written form for those asked a person find it. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough when your semester class most first year law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to the court and legal court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and working with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to research. It’s very short, that this will necessary non-lawyer just a little example of how to the the law and try finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The next 100 plus pages is a glossary, which a person definitely would not need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary that won’t replace “Black’s” but decent resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics also as an index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs to enjoy legal research but does not know how to start. If you have to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the mode. It is a very good description of the legal research process for those without a law degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020