Not anyone can 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 because you got out and started practicing. Many firms have one or the other, and Maybe large firms may in order to both. Despite access to one of these, I find that I might find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line these days. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides simple follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research also as info on law libraries for people that have in order to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The Indian law library chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, and also the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, however 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. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, additionally other sites that cost nothing. I like the guidelines and warnings through out the book also. 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 ordinarily laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know in order 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 allow you with what you need to find, and finding out your legal research question. This is important, you need to know that which you are really looking for before planning searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. This chapter explores sources such understanding of 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 legal businesses will have a lot of these kinds of resources, and will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides a brief report on what these sources normally.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Components the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain 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. Just about all these are crucial depending into your particular issue. This chapter is an honest introduction for this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have already been decided. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is an example of a famous case of which may be looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how you can use citations to find cases, find cases on top of the internet, find cases each morning law archive.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what a case is, how they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the top earlier, which chapter goes further aid you acquiring you have “good legal.” It teaches you the best way to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are trying to make a case yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know a number of laypeople never.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, have to put that find in written form for homeowners who asked you to find it. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough while the semester class most 1st year law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to the court and the judge process contributing to a couple pages on finding and with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach realistic to become familiar with. It’s very short, it will give the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to the the law and accomplish finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The following 100 plus pages is really a glossary, which a person would not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics along with an index.
Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the individual who wants or needs complete legal research but doesn’t know where to start. If you must do-it-yourself, information can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description in the legal research process for everyone without a law degree.