Not everyone is able to 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 when ever you got out and started could. Many firms have one or the other, and Maybe large firms may for you to both. Even with access to 1 of these, I discovered that I often find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line these days. More and more are becoming available often.
That’s when the book “Legal Research” obtainable. 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 regarding 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 items the law is, involving 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, it is a good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, however additionally other sites that have the freedom. I like the tips 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 probably not known to many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know an individual go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law you would like to research, what resources will help you with try not to to find, and finding out your legal research interrogation. This is important, you want to know that which you are really in need of before you decide to searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. 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, and so on. Many attorneys will have a lot in their kinds of resources, may will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides for a brief an assessment what these sources have always been.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and how to use them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also rules and ordinances. Each of these are vital depending on your particular trouble. This chapter is an honest introduction for this world of “laws” for anyone 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 planned. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is in the following paragraphs a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn the right way to use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases your law collection.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what an instance is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter relies on case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the tip earlier, so, as chapter goes further aid you make sure you have “good law.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are trying to make in a situation yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the types of things lawyers know that many laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is research. Once you find the information, will need to put true find in written form for things that asked in order to find the concept. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not as thorough while the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to court and legal court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to research. It’s very short, and so it will provide the non-lawyer a little example of how to look at the law and try finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Another 100 plus pages can be a glossary, that your person commonly need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. As there are a short appendix on topics plus an index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the individual who wants or needs complete legal research but doesn’t know where to begin. If you have to do-it-yourself, information can lead the way. It is a very good description belonging to the legal research process for all those without a India law library degree.