Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty because you got out and started could. Many firms have much more the other, and Maybe large firms may for you to both. Despite access to at least of these, I see I can sometimes find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line these days. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides simple follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research also as the specifics of law libraries for those that have in order to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Company Vakil legal library Knowing Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, regarding law, state versus federal law, and the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good introduction.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that are free. I like the guidelines and warnings through the book also. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know for you to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law extra flab to research, what resources will an individual with generate profits . to find, and finding out your legal research subject. This is important, you need to know what you’re really seeking before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Experts. 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 many. Many law firm will have a lot of your kinds of resources, and will find even more at legislation library. This chapter offers a brief a closer look at what these sources are.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Components the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover these resources and how to use them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations along with rules and ordinances. All the these are essential depending on your own own particular hassle. This chapter is an honest introduction for this world of “laws” for all those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have previously been made a decision. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is one 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 the internet, find cases your law study.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Search for. I pointed out the top earlier, which chapter goes further that can you retain all of your you have “good guideline.” It teaches you the best way to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use to make sure the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are searching make in a situation yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know that many laypeople don’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, have to put genuine find in written form for those asked a person find it. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not as thorough when your semester class most newbie law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and a legal court process and about a couple pages on finding and dealing with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter supplies a research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach the question to studying. It’s very short, and so it will give the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to look at the law and accomplish finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The other 100 plus pages is really a glossary, that your person would not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is the best 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 you need to do legal research but doesn’t know how to start. If you need to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the chance. It is a very good description of the legal research process for any without legislation degree.