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Legal Research – How to & Understand the Law

Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. 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 or even more the other, and I suppose large firms may subscribe to both. Despite access to 1 of these, I realize that I can frequently find things faster and much 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 when the book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides to be able to follow research methods to aid you Indian law library answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research as well as info on law libraries for people that have regarding one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, and the court system. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good be released.

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

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know in order to go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law would like to to research, what resources will an individual with what you need to find, and working out your legal research question. This is important, you wish to know actually really seeking before you decide to searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. 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, and so on. Many legal businesses will have a lot in their kinds of resources, and you will find even more at a law library. This chapter gives a brief report on what these sources have always been.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Components the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify 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. Just about all these are important depending on your own own particular provide. This chapter is an efficient introduction for this world of “laws” for those that are charting unfamiliar territory.

Six: Finding Cases. Some of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that already have been created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ 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 how you can use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases each morning law study.

Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what in instances is, how they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter relies upon case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the tip earlier, review chapter goes further that can you guaranteed that you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are planning to make in a situation yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the associated with things lawyers know which laypeople can’t.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, you must put true find in written form for those asked you to find the concept. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Much 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 the court and the legal court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and dealing with a personal injury lawyer.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach the question to knowledge. It’s very short, and so it will a number of circumstances non-lawyer just a little example of how to from the law and do finding the way to go.

The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Another 100 plus pages can be a glossary, which a person usually need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. There is a short appendix on topics also as an index.

Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the individual who wants or needs you need to do legal research but doesn’t know where do you start. If you have to do-it-yourself, information can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description belonging to the legal research process for all those without legislation degree.