Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when ever you got out and started could. Many firms have or even more the other, and I suppose large firms may for you to both. Despite access to a single of these, I see I often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available often.

That’s where the book “Legal Research” obtainable. It provides simple follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research also as info about law libraries for those who have regarding one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, and also the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good rewards.

Two: India law library finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that are free. I like the guidelines and warnings through out the book also. Good caution that not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably 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 you want to research, what resources will an individual with generate profits . to find, and figuring out your legal research question. This is important, you want to know what you’re really really hunting for before planning searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. 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, et cetera. Many attorneys will have a lot of these kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides a brief report on what these sources might be.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Components the almost all 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 along with rules and ordinances. Both of these are essential depending against your particular issue. This chapter is a positive introduction for this world of “laws” for all those that are charting unfamiliar territory.

Six: Finding Cases. A wide variety of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that already have been decided. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case which usually is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn the right way to use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases in the law archive.

Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what an instance is, how they are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the tip earlier, which chapter goes further that can you make sure you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use to make sure the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are wanting make a situation yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the forms of things lawyers know lots of laypeople don’t.

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

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach realistic to research. It’s very short, it will provide the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to the the law and go about finding your answer.

The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The following 100 plus pages is often a glossary, that your person usually need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. As there are a short appendix on topics along with an index.

Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs to do legal research but doesn’t know the place to begin. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, information can lead the mode. It is a very good description of the legal research process for everyone without a law degree.