Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty because you got out and started studying. Many firms have much more the other, and Just maybe large firms may in order to both. Despite access to one of these, I recognize that I can frequently find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have Company Vakil law library statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available often.
That’s if the book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides for you to follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research as well as specifics of law libraries for people who have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, regarding law, state versus federal law, as well as the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Products. 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, however additionally other sites that are free. I like the information and warnings through the actual book too. Good caution does not 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 since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know to be able to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law extra flab to research, what resources will help you with may well be a to find, and being aware of your legal research ponder. This is important, you wish to know what you’re really in need of before proceeding searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. This chapter explores sources such as online resources (including a bit about deciding if reliable), self-help legal books, legal encyclopedias, form books, practice manuals, continuing legal education publications, law reviews, et cetera. Many legal businesses will have a lot because of kinds of resources, and you will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides brief a closer look at what these sources are typically.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. Both of these are vital depending on top of your particular provide. This chapter is a positive introduction for this world of “laws” for those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A wide variety of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have already been figured. These cases interpreted laws and have grown to be the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is one of a famous case of which may be looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how you can use citations to find cases, find cases on top of the internet, find cases in the law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter relies on case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Search for. I pointed out the top earlier, so, as chapter goes further that can you retain all of your you have “good police.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are wanting make a suit yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the types of things lawyers know lots of laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research unit. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, ought to put genuine find in written form for things that asked in order to find it. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not as thorough as the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to court and the court process and about a couple pages on finding and with a lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach realistic to research. It’s very short, it will a number of circumstances non-lawyer a little example of methods to in the law and begin finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The next 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person would not need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs to attempt legal research but doesn’t know where to start. If you need to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the chance. It is a very good description for this legal research process for anyone without a law degree.