Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. 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 training. Many firms have or even more the other, and I reckon that large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access a minimum of one of these, I find that I often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line these days. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides easy to follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research too as information regarding law libraries for people who have to be able to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Regulations Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, and also the court network. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, additionally 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 another kid that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know in order to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law you want to research, what resources will an individual with try not to to find, and working out your legal research subject. This is important, you wish to know that which you are really seeking before proceeding searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. 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 lawyers will have a lot because of kinds of resources, and will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief overview of what these sources have always been.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Tend to be some the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to find these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also other rules and ordinances. All the these are essential depending into your particular factor. This chapter is a positive introduction to this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Much of 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 now 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 the right way to use citations to find cases, find cases on the internet, find cases each morning law archive.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what a case is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter relies upon case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further in order to assist you retain all of your you have “good police.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, a procedure we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are striving to make in instances yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the associated with things lawyers know that many laypeople can’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. 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 a person find the product. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough currently being the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to the court and the legal court process resulting in a couple pages on finding and dealing with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach the question to India law library studying. It’s very short, and so it will provide the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to from the law and begin finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Another 100 plus pages is really a glossary, which a person definitely would not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but decent resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics along with an index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs you need to do legal research but doesn’t know where do you start. If you must do-it-yourself, information can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description belonging to the legal research process for those without a law degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020