Basics Of Legal Research7 min read
Legal research is the process of finding and using the law. It includes researching case law, legislation, and legal writings. The goal of legal research is to find the law that applies to a specific situation and to understand it well enough to be able to use it effectively.
There are a number of resources that can be used for legal research, including case law databases, legislation databases, legal research guides, and legal encyclopedias. Case law databases contain summaries of court decisions, while legislation databases contain the text of legislation. Legal research guides provide step-by-step instructions on how to research a particular topic, and legal encyclopedias contain articles on a wide variety of legal topics.
One of the most important things to remember when doing legal research is to be sure to use the most current version of the law. Laws can change quickly, and it is important to make sure you are using the most up-to-date version.
Legal research can be a complex process, but it is important to remember that the goal is always to find the law that applies to a specific situation and to understand it well enough to be able to use it effectively. With a little bit of practice, anyone can become a skilled legal researcher.
Table of Contents
What are the basics of legal research?
The process of legal research is the systematic examination of law to find the answer to a legal question. It involves locating and analyzing legal authority, which is any law, court decision, or other legal source that is relevant to the question.
The first step in legal research is to determine the legal issue or question that needs to be answered. This can be done by talking to a lawyer, reading case law, or doing a simple internet search. Once the question is identified, the next step is to find and read the relevant authorities. Authorities can be statutes, regulations, court decisions, or other legal sources.
Once the authorities have been identified, the next step is to analyze them and determine how they apply to the question at hand. This analysis can be done by reading the authorities carefully and taking notes, using a legal research tool such as a legal database, or using a legal research guide.
The final step is to write a legal memorandum or brief summarizing the research findings and providing a recommendation on how to proceed.
What are the five steps of legal research?
There are five steps in the legal research process: 1) identify the legal issue, 2) research the law, 3) analyze the law, 4) apply the law, and 5) communicate the results.
1) Identify the legal issue: The first step is to identify the legal issue. This involves reading the facts of the case and identifying the legal question that needs to be answered.
2) Research the law: The next step is to research the law. This involves finding and reading the relevant statutes, case law, and regulations.
3) Analyze the law: The next step is to analyze the law. This involves understanding the legal rules and how they apply to the facts of the case.
4) Apply the law: The next step is to apply the law. This involves applying the legal rules to the facts of the case and reaching a conclusion.
5) Communicate the results: The final step is to communicate the results. This involves writing a legal memorandum or brief summarizing the results of the research.
How should you begin legal research?
When starting a legal research project, it is important to have a clear idea of what you are trying to accomplish. Are you looking for specific case law or statutory authority? Trying to build a legal argument? Or just trying to get a better understanding of a legal issue?
Once you have a specific goal in mind, it is helpful to have a plan of action. Do some initial research to get a broad understanding of the issue, then focus in on specific authorities that will help you accomplish your goal. Use secondary sources such as legal encyclopedias, treatises, and law reviews to gain an understanding of the relevant legal principles, and then consult primary sources such as cases and statutes to see how those principles have been applied in practice.
Finally, be sure to keep track of your research materials and organize them in a way that makes sense for your project. This will save time and frustration later on in the project.
What are legal research methods?
Legal research is the process of gathering information about the law to use in legal proceedings, to advise clients, or to further one’s own knowledge of the law. There are a variety of legal research methods, which can be used alone or in combination.
One common method is to conduct a search of legal databases. These databases contain case law, statutes, and other legal information. They can be searched by keyword or by topic.
Another common method is to consult legal reference materials. These are books and articles that contain summaries of case law and statutes, as well as analysis and commentary. They can be helpful in understanding the law, but should not be relied on as the only source of information.
Another common method is to conduct legal research in person. This can be done by going to the law library and searching the legal databases there, or by consulting the reference materials in the library.
Finally, legal research can be conducted online. This can be done by searching legal databases and other sources of information online, or by consulting legal websites.
No matter which method is used, it is important to be sure that the information is reliable and up-to-date.
What is IRAC method?
The IRAC method is a system for organizing legal arguments. It stands for Issue, Rule, Analysis, and Conclusion. The issue is the question that is being asked in the case. The rule is the law that applies to the issue. The analysis is a discussion of how the rule applies to the facts of the case. The conclusion is the lawyer’s argument about what the court should do.
What are the 7 steps of the research process?
The research process is a step-by-step system for conducting thorough, accurate research. It involves identifying a research question, gathering information, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. There are seven steps in the research process:
1. Define the research question
2. Gather information
3. Analyze data
4. Draw conclusions
5. Report findings
6. Apply findings
7. Refine the research question
How can I improve my legal research skills?
Researching the law can be a daunting task, but with the right tools and techniques, it can be easy and straightforward. Here are a few tips on how to improve your legal research skills:
1. Know where to look.
There are a variety of resources available for legal research, including online databases, law reviews, and legal textbooks. Familiarize yourself with the different resources available to you and be sure to use them all to get a comprehensive understanding of the law.
2. Use keywords and search engines.
When researching a legal topic, it is important to use keywords to help you find the most relevant information. Use a variety of search engines to broaden your search results.
3. Stay organized.
Keeping your research organized is key to finding what you need quickly and efficiently. Use folders, labels, and tags to keep track of your research, and be sure to keep copies of all relevant documents.
4. Ask questions.
If you are having trouble finding the information you need, don’t be afraid to ask a librarian or another expert for help. They can point you in the right direction and help you get started on your research.
5. Practice, practice, practice.
The more you research, the better you will become at it. Make a habit of researching legal topics regularly and you will soon develop the skills you need to be a successful legal researcher.
