Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal natural resources. In law school we’d access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty whenever you got out and started could. Many firms have one or the other, and Maybe large firms may to be able to both. Despite access to one of these, I discovered that I can frequently find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available on a daily basis.

That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides simple follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research as well as the specifics of law libraries for people that have access to one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, and the court system. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this may be a good introduction.

Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that are free of charge. I like the tips and warnings through the book too. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known ordinarily laypeople.

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know to be able to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law extra flab to research, what resources will allow you with generate profits . to find, and working out your legal research subject. This is important, you want to know what you’re really looking for before proceeding searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. 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, as well as the. Many law firm will possess a lot of your kinds of resources, an individual will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides a brief a closer look at what these sources are typically.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Components the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to find these resources and strategies for them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations along with rules and ordinances. Both of these are essential depending on top of your particular issue. This chapter is a superior introduction for this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.

Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have 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 difficulties are people a famous case of which may be looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn tips on how to use citations to find cases, find cases on the internet, find cases within the law study.

Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, that they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the top earlier, see chapter goes further that can you specialist you have “good guideline.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are trying to make in a situation yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the associated with things lawyers know that many laypeople typically.

Nine: legal act Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, you put genuine find in written form for homeowners who asked a person find the product. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough as the semester class most first year law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to court and the judge process and about a couple pages on finding and working with a legal practitioner.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to studying. It’s very short, the software will give the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to with the law and accomplish finding the way to go.

The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The following 100 plus pages is really a glossary, that your person would not need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. As there are a short appendix on topics also as an index.

Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the individual who wants or needs complete legal research but doesn’t know the place to begin. If you need to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the chance. It is a very good description belonging to the legal research process for any without a law degree.

Posted on:
February 15, 2020