Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we’d access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty whenever you got out and started training. Many firms have or even more the other, and I suppose large firms may subscribe to both. Despite access to at least of these, I see I can frequently find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides simple follow research Company Vakil legal library methods to help you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research as well as info on law libraries for those 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 the items the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, and also the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good introduction.
Two: Finding Legal Products. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that are free of charge. I like the information and warnings through the book too. Good caution that 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. In order to know before you go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law would like to to research, what resources will help you with the simple fact is to find, and being aware of your legal research interrogation. This is important, you need to know what you’re really looking for before you go searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. 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 many. Many law firms will have a lot in their kinds of resources, an individual will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides a brief overview of what these sources are.
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 protect yourself with 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 important depending into your particular factor. This chapter is a good introduction to this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Some of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that formerly been figured. These cases interpreted laws and have grown to be 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 tips on how to use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases within the law archive.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, how they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter relies on case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the end earlier, review chapter goes further support you retain all of your you have “good guideline.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are searching make in instances yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the associated with things lawyers know plenty of laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, have to put genuine find in written form for athletes that asked in order to find the concept. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough as the semester class most novice 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 dealing with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how get the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to knowledge. It’s very short, and so it will provide the non-lawyer a little example of methods to the the law and try finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The other 100 plus pages can be a glossary, that your person would not need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics also as 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 the place to begin. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the mode. It is a very good description of the legal research process for those without a law degree.