Not everyone is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal natural resources. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started working towards. Many firms have much more the other, and I reckon that large firms may to be able to both. Even with access to at least of these, I realize that I often 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 all the time.
That’s if the book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides for you to follow research methods to aid you legal act 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 of the Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, as well as the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this may be a good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that cost nothing. I like the ideas and warnings through out the book too. Good caution that not 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. Things to know to be able to go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law you would like to research, what resources will allow you with may well be a to find, and deciding on your legal research trouble. This is important, you need to know what you’re really in need of before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. This chapter explores sources such understanding of 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 legal businesses will possess a lot top kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides brief an assessment what these sources have always been.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Are generally generally the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover these resources and guidelines them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations together with other rules and ordinances. Each of these are vital depending on your own own particular issue. 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, however in the decisions of cases that have already been created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is one of a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases on top of the internet, find cases within the law collection.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, that they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will help you.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the end earlier, see chapter goes further to help you make sure you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are striving to make a situation yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the kinds of things lawyers know lots of 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 research. Once you find the information, have to put people find in written form for athletes that asked a person find the concept. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not as thorough while the semester class most first year law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to the court and a legal court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to studying. It’s very short, and so it will supply the non-lawyer a little example of how to from the law and go about finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. Your next 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person definitely would not need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics plus an index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs to do legal research but doesn’t know where to start. If you are required to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description of the legal research process for all those without a law degree.