Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started training. Many firms have one or the other, and Maybe large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access a minimum of one of these, I find that I often 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 quite frequently.

That’s when the book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides simple to follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research as well as info on law libraries for people that have use of one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:

One: Knowing Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions with the the Indian law library is, regarding law, state versus federal law, and also the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, it is a good rewards.

Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, however additionally other sites that have the freedom. I like the guidelines and warnings through the actual book too. Good caution that not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known since laypeople.

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know to be able to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law extra flab to research, what resources will help you with may well be a to find, and being aware of your legal research question. This is important, you need to know what you are really seeking before planning searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. 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 attorneys will possess a lot top kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides for a brief a closer look at what these sources have always been.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and how to use them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also rules and ordinances. Both of these are vital depending on top of your particular factor. This chapter is a good introduction to this world of “laws” for all those 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 figured. 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 which usually is 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 in the law collection.

Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will assist.

Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the tip earlier, which chapter goes further in order to assist you acquiring you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use to make sure the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are planning to make in a situation yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the types of things lawyers know which laypeople never.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, ought to put true find in written form for those asked you to find thought. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough as the semester class most novice law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and the court process resulting in a couple pages on finding and working with a lawyer.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach realistic to research. It’s very short, the software will give the non-lawyer a little example of how to the the law and try finding the way to go.

The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Your next 100 plus pages is a glossary, which a person would not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics plus an index.

Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs to do legal research but doesn’t know where to start. If you must do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description in the legal research process for anyone without legislation degree.