Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started could. Many firms have much more the other, and I’m assuming large firms may subscribe to both. Despite access a minimum of one of these, I find that I can sometimes find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available quite frequently.
That’s if the book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides simple follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research as well as info about law libraries for those who have in order to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Regulations Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, and the court system. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, it is a good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that are free of charge. I like the guidelines and warnings through the actual book as well. Good caution does 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 many 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 actual area of law you would like to research, what resources will assist you with the simple fact is to find, and working out your legal research trouble. This is important, you want to know that which you are really looking for before you decide to searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. This chapter explores sources such the way 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 lawyers will have a lot of these kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides brief report on what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. These are the majority 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. Just about all these are crucial depending on your own own particular issue. This chapter is a superior introduction to this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A lot of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that formerly been created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and are usually the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is an example of a famous case is actually looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn tips on how to use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases in the law study.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you legal act matter depends on case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the tip earlier, which chapter goes further in order to assist you acquiring you have “good law.” It teaches you the best way to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are planning to make a situation yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the regarding things lawyers know lots of laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, ought to put people find in written form for homeowners who asked in which find it. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough even though the semester class most 1st year law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to court and the court process leading to a couple pages on finding and dealing with a legal counsel.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter supplies a research problem, how get the facts, and then how to approach realistic to knowledge. It’s very short, and so it will supply the non-lawyer a little example of methods to look at the law and go about finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The following 100 plus pages is really a glossary, which a person commonly need should they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics along with an index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs to enjoy legal research but doesn’t know where to start. If you have to do-it-yourself, information can lead the way. It is a very good description for this legal research process for those without legislation degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020