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Legal Research – How uncover & Understand the Law

Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started studying. Many firms have or even more the other, and Just maybe large firms may to be able to both. Even with access to 1 of these, I find that I can frequently find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line these days. More and more are becoming available quite frequently.

That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides easy to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research as well as the specifics of law libraries for people that have to be able to one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, along with the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good be released.

Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. 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, additionally other sites that are free. I like the tips and warnings through the actual book also. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known many laypeople.

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know for you 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 help you with generate profits . to find, and deciding on your legal research trouble. This is important, you want to know what you’re really really interested in before proceeding searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Experts. 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, et cetera. Many law firms will have a lot in their kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief brief review what these sources might be.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations along with rules and ordinances. Just about all these are crucial depending on your own own particular factor. This chapter is an honest introduction to this world of “laws” for those 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 already have been decided. 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 which usually is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn tips on how to use citations to find cases, find cases on the internet, find cases inside of law library.

Seven: Using Case . This chapter Indian law library actually explains what in a situation is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the top earlier, see chapter goes further aid you specialist you have “good law.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are planning to make in instances yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know a number of laypeople do not ever.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, you put that find in written form for homeowners who asked in which find getting this done. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Not as thorough as the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to court and legal court process and about a couple pages on finding and with a personal injury lawyer.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach realistic to become familiar with. It’s very short, that this will provide the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to in the law and do finding your solution.

The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Your next 100 plus pages is a glossary, that your person does not need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but decent resource. Then 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 to enjoy legal research but does not know where do you start. If you need to do-it-yourself, information can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description belonging to the legal research process for all those without a law degree.