Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started working towards. Many firms have one or the other, and Just maybe large firms may in order to both. Even with access to 1 of these, I realize that I often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available quite frequently.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides for you to follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research too as info on law libraries for those that have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Regulations Basics with the Company Vakil law library. Brief descriptions of what the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, and also the court system. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this may be a good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that cost nothing. I like the guidelines and warnings through the book too. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know an individual go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law extra flab to research, what resources will a person to with try not to to find, and being aware of your legal research trouble. This is important, you want to know what you are really hunting for before you decide to 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 so on. Many law firm will possess a lot top kinds of resources, an individual will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides for a brief brief review what these sources normally.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. These are 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 rules and ordinances. All of these are essential depending into your particular trouble. This chapter is a positive introduction to this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that formerly been planned. These cases interpreted laws and are usually the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is individuals a famous case that is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases on the internet, find cases in the law library.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the tip earlier, see chapter goes further aid you make sure you have “good guideline.” 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 trying to make a suit yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the types of things lawyers know that many laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to be able to. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, you must put genuine find in written form for those asked in order to find the product. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough as the semester class most 1st year law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and the legal court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and with a legal counsel.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach the question to become familiar with. It’s very short, and so it will provide the non-lawyer a little example of how to the the law and try finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The next 100 plus pages is a glossary, that your person would not need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics plus an index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs to attempt legal research but doesn’t know where do you start. If you are required to do-it-yourself, information can lead the way. It is a very good description in the legal research process for all those without legislation degree.