Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started could. Many firms have much more the other, and I reckon that large firms may in order to both. Even with access to one of these, I discovered that I might find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line these days. More and more are becoming available often.

That’s where the book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides simple to follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research too as info on law libraries for those who have in order to one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions of the things the law is, Company Vakil legal library sources of law, state versus federal law, and the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, it is a good intro.

Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that cost nothing. I like the tips and warnings through the book too. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known since laypeople.

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know before you go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law desire to research, what resources will allow you with what you need to find, and working out your legal research trouble. This is important, you want to know what you’re really really looking for before you go searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. 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 many. Many legal businesses will have a lot because of kinds of resources, and will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides brief overview of what these sources normally.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Are generally generally the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other 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 all those that are charting unfamiliar territory.

Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that formerly been created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and are now 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 to use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases in the law collection.

Seven: Using Case Legal system. This chapter actually explains what in instances is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the top earlier, so, as chapter goes further aid you guaranteed that you have “good police.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, a procedure we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are searching make in instances yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the forms of things lawyers know that many laypeople never.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, will need to put true find in written form for those that asked you find the concept. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough while the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to the court and the court process resulting in a couple pages on finding and working with a personal injury lawyer.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach rare to studying. It’s very short, it will provide the non-lawyer just a little example of how to in the law and accomplish finding the way to go.

The book chapters stop here on page 255. Another 100 plus pages is a glossary, that your person would not need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. There is a short appendix on topics also index.

Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs you need 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 for this legal research process for any without legislation degree.