Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started training. Many firms have or even more the other, and Maybe large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access to 1 of these, I recognize that I might find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available on a daily basis.
That’s if the book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides simple to follow research methods to assist you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research too as specifics of law libraries for those who have to be able to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, along with the court unit. 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 results are located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that have the freedom. I like the ideas and warnings through the actual book as well. Good caution 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 numerous laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know an individual go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law you would like to research, what resources will an individual with the simple fact is to find, and working out your legal research subject. This is important, you wish to know what you’re really in need of before you go searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. This chapter explores sources such marketing and advertising 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 have a lot of these kinds of resources, and will find even more at a law common law library library. This chapter gives a brief a closer look at what these sources are.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Are generally generally the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify these resources and strategies for 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 tend to be crucial depending against your particular provide. This chapter is a superior introduction to this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A lot of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that formerly been created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and have been the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is individuals a famous case of which may be 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 your law library.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, that are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further to help you specialist you have “good legal.” 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. An individual are trying to make a suit yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the associated with things lawyers know a number of laypeople never.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, have to put genuine find in written form for those asked you find thought. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough as the semester class most 1st year law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and the legal court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and dealing with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach rare to studying. It’s very short, so it will give the non-lawyer a little example of methods to the the law and begin finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. Another 100 plus pages can be a glossary, which a person would not need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs you need to do legal research but doesn’t know where do you start. If you need to do-it-yourself, information can lead the way. It is a very good description belonging to the legal research process for everyone without legislation degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020