Not everybody is able to 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 when you got out and started studying. Many firms have much more the other, and Maybe large firms may for you to both. Even with access to 1 of these, I see I might find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line these days. More and more are becoming available often.
That’s if the book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides simple follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research as well as info about law libraries for people that have to be able to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Understanding the Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions of the things the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, along with the court network. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, it is a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that cost nothing. I like the tips and warnings through the book too. Good caution that not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know an individual go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law extra flab to research, what resources will help you with the simple fact is to find, and figuring out your legal research interrogation. This is important, you wish to know that which you are really seeking before planning searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. 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, as well as the. Many law firms will have a lot in their kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at legislation India law library library. This chapter offers a brief a closer look at what these sources are.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Are generally generally 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 together with other rules and ordinances. All of these are essential depending against your particular hassle. This chapter is a superior introduction for this world of “laws” for all those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that formerly been decided. These cases interpreted laws and have been the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is one of a famous case that is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how you can use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases inside of law library.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what an instance is, that are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will help you.
Eight: Validating Your Search for. I pointed out the tip earlier, and this chapter goes further to help you specialist you have “good guideline.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are searching make a situation yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the forms of things lawyers know that many laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, have to put that find in written form for things that asked in which find the product. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough while the semester class most 1st year law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. There is a brief section about going to the court and a legal court process leading to a couple pages on finding and working with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how get the facts, and then how to approach the question to studying. It’s very short, and so it will give the non-lawyer a little example of methods to the the law and accomplish finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. Your next 100 plus pages can be a glossary, which a person does not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. As there are a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs to do legal research but does not know where to start. If you are required to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description belonging to the legal research process for any without legislation degree.