Legal Research – How track down & Understand the Law

Not everyone is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when ever you got out and started studying. Many firms have or even more the other, and I reckon that large firms may for you to both. Despite access to one of these, I realize that I might find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available all the time.

That’s if the book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides easy to India law library follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research also as the specifics of law libraries for people who have to be able to one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Regulations Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions of the things 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, this is the good be released.

Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that are free. I like the tips and warnings through out the book too. Good caution does not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known to many laypeople.

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know to be able to go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law you would like to research, what resources will a person to with what you need to find, and finding out your legal research subject. This is important, you need to know that which you are really hunting for before planning searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. 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, et cetera. Many law firm will possess a lot because of kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief brief review what these sources normally.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify these resources and increase your website’s traffic them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also other rules and ordinances. All the these are essential depending on your particular hassle. This chapter is a superior introduction to this world of “laws” for the 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 already have been made a decision. These cases interpreted laws and have been the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how to use citations to find cases, find cases on your internet, find cases in the law catalogue.

Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what a case is, that they are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will help you.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the top earlier, which chapter goes further that can you guaranteed that you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are striving to make a situation yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the types of things lawyers know which laypeople do not ever.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, will need to put people find in written form for those that asked you find it. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough when your semester class most fresh law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. There is a brief section about going to the court and the court process and about a couple pages on finding and working with a lawyer.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach yet to research. It’s very short, that this will supply the non-lawyer a little example of how to from the law and do finding your answer.

The book chapters stop here on page 255. Another 100 plus pages is really a glossary, that your person commonly need should they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary that won’t replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics plus an index.

Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs to do legal research but does not know how to start. If you must do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the chance. It is a very good description for this legal research process for everyone without legislation degree.