Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty because you got out and started practicing. Many firms have much more the other, and I suppose large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access to a single of these, I see I often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s when the book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides simple follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research too as info about law libraries for those that have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, as well as the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good be released.
Two: Finding Legal Products. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, however additionally other sites that cost nothing. I like the information and warnings through out the book also. Good caution does not every opinion you find is good India law library. Obvious to another kid that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known numerous laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know before you go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law you would like to research, what resources will an individual with what you need to find, and finding out your legal research interrogation. This is important, you need to know what you are really in need of before you go searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Experts. 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 lawyers will have a lot because of kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides 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 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. Both of these are important depending on top of your particular factor. This chapter is a good introduction to this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that already have been created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and have grown to be the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is an example of a famous case that is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases inside of law collection.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter relies upon case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further that can you specialist you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are striving to make a suit yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the associated with things lawyers know plenty of laypeople do not ever.
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, ought to put that find in written form for athletes that asked in order to find thought. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough currently being the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to the court and the legal court process and about a couple pages on finding and with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach yet to studying. It’s very short, so it will provide the non-lawyer a little example of how to in the law and accomplish finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Your next 100 plus pages is really a glossary, that your person definitely would not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but decent resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, Feel 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 are forced to do-it-yourself, information can lead the way. It is a very good description in the legal research process for all those without legislation degree.