Not everyone can 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 training. Many firms have one or the other, and I reckon that large firms may in order to both. Even with access to at least of these, I realize that I can frequently find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available normally.

That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides easy to follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research too as the specifics of law libraries for people that have access to one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions of the things the law is, regarding law, state versus federal law, as well as the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good acclimatation.

Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that cost nothing. I like the guidelines and warnings through out the book too. Good caution 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 many laypeople.

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know in order to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law you want to research, what resources will allow you with what you need to find, and deciding on your legal research ponder. This is important, you want to know actually really seeking before you go searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. This chapter explores sources such as online resources (including a bit about deciding if reliable), self-help legal books, legal encyclopedias, form books, practice manuals, continuing legal education publications, law reviews, as well as the. Many lawyers will possess a lot top kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief an assessment what these sources are.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover 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. Each of these are vital depending against your particular issue. This chapter is an efficient introduction to this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.

Six: Finding Cases. A lot of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that already have been decided. These cases interpreted laws and have grown to be the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case that is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how you can use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases in the law catalogue.

Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what a case is, that they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the end earlier, and this chapter goes further aid you acquiring you have “good legal.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, an Company Vakil law library operation we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are searching make in instances yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the regarding things lawyers know that many laypeople never.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is research. Once you find the information, ought to put true find in written form for things that asked you to find it. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough currently being the semester class most novice law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to court and legal court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and dealing with a personal injury lawyer.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach rare to research. It’s very short, it will supply the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to look at the law and begin finding the way to go.

The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Your next 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person usually need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary that won’t replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics and an index.

Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs to enjoy legal research but doesn’t know the place to begin. If you are required to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the chance. It is a very good description of the legal research process for all those without a law degree.