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University of San Carlos - College of Law LEGAL RESEARCH

LEGAL RESEARCH (LLB 124A) LLB 124A
First Semester, 2018-2019 EH 305 (Wed 7:30-8:30 p.m. /
Atty. Pinky D. Veloso Sat 2:30-3:30 p.m.)
EH 307 (Sat 4:30-6:30 p.m.)

CAROLINIAN LAW GRADUATE ATTRIBUTES

Scientia: A COMPETENT PROFESSIONAL

Critical Thinker
Lifelong Learner
Skilled Researcher
Sound Decision-Maker
Innovative Problem-Solver
Effective and articulate communicator

Virtus: AVIRTUOUS EXEMPLAR

Incorruptible Servant Leader
Ethical and Value-Driven Practitioner

Devotio: A DEDICATED ADVOCATE

Committed Peacemaker
Culture-Sensitive Patriot
Socially-engaged Citizen
Passionate Worker for the Marginalized

LEGAL RESEARCH OUTCOMES

 Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles of

legal research.
 Demonstrate knowledge of the sources of legal information in
relation to the legal system in the Philippines as well as
international and other relevant sources.
 Exercise professional judgment that reflects the values and
ethics of the profession and being Witness to the Word in
undertaking legal research and writing.
 Use with competence and integrity effective and efficient
research strategies including critical evaluation of
information.
 Apply superior intellectual and technological skills in the
conduct of research and in evaluating and synthesizing
relevant factual, legal, and policy issues, in the resolution of
legal issues and concerns.
 Communicate professional knowledge in research topics
effectively, appropriately, and persuasively to legal and non-
legal audiences and articulate quality research outputs in
publishable format.
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University of San Carlos - College of Law LEGAL RESEARCH

LEGAL RESEARCH (LLB 124A) LLB 124A
First Semester, 2018-2019 EH 305 (Wed 7:30-8:30 p.m. /
Atty. Pinky D. Veloso Sat 2:30-3:30 p.m.)
EH 307 (Sat 4:30-6:30 p.m.)

LEGAL RESEARCH SYLLABUS

I.THE CONCEPT OF LEGAL RESEARCH

A. What is Legal Research?
B. The Legal Research Process
C. Types of Information to Support Legal Decision-Making
(i) Sources of Law
(ii) The Nature of Legal Authority
(iii) Types of Legal Information
1. Primary
2. Secondary
(iv) Degree of Persuasiveness of Information
1. Binding/Mandatory
2. Persuasive
(v) Application of Legal Authority
1. Discretion in Interpreting and Applying Legal Authority
(by Decision-Makers)

II.PHILIPPINE LEGAL SYSTEM AND LEGAL INFORMATION SOURCE

(i) Common Law Tradition
(ii) Civil Law Tradition
(iii) Case Law and the Doctrine of Precedent
(iv) Hierarchy Of Courts in the Philippines
1. Trial Courts
2. Appellate Courts
3. Supreme Court
i. Parts of a Decision
ii. Ratio Decidendi
iii. Doctrine of Stare Decisis / Adherence to Precedents
iv. Dictum (Obiter Dictum)

III.ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS IN LEGAL RESEARCH

A. Plagiarism in the context of the Philippine Legal and Judicial System.
(i) In the Matter of the Charges of Plagiarism, etc., against Associate
Justice Mariano C. Del Castillo, A.M. No. 10-7-17-SC, October 12,
2010.
1. Plagiarism, defined.
2. Academe vs. Judicial System
3. Doctrine of Stare Decisis
4. Dishonesty in Legal Research
5. Judges / Justices
6. Lawyers
7. Court's Conclusion
8. Dissenting Opinion
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University of San Carlos - College of Law LEGAL RESEARCH

LEGAL RESEARCH (LLB 124A) LLB 124A
First Semester, 2018-2019 EH 305 (Wed 7:30-8:30 p.m. /
Atty. Pinky D. Veloso Sat 2:30-3:30 p.m.)
EH 307 (Sat 4:30-6:30 p.m.)

(ii) DOJ Advisory Opinion No. 02, Series of 2012 (Advisory on

Plagiarism)
B. Use of Online Data
(i) Fake News
(ii) The Dissemination of Misinformation
(iii) Legal Ramifications

IV.CITATION STYLES
A. The Chicago Manual of Style
(i) Author-Date System
1. In-text citation
2. Reference list
(ii) Notes & Bibliography System
1. Notes
2. Bibliography

V.LEGAL CITATION
A. Typefaces
B. General Rules for Punctuation and Abbreviations
C. Abbreviating Source Names in Citations
D. Geographical Terms
E. Months of the Year
F. Numbers
G. Introducing Authorities
H. Punctuation of Citation Sentences
I. Order of Authority
J. Explanatory Information
K. General Information for Citing Authorities
L. Cases
M. Court Documents (Briefs, Motions, Petitions)
N. Periodicals
O. Books and Treatises
P. Constitutions and Foundational Sources of Law
Q. Statutes
R. Legislative Materials
S. Executive and Administrative Materials
T. Rules of Practice
U. Treaties and Other International Agreements
V. Foreign Materials
W. Unpublished forthcoming sources
X. Other sources

VI.LEGAL WRITING STYLE

A. The Elements of Style (Strunk, W., Jr. and White, E.B. )
(i) Elementary Rules of Usage
(ii) Elementary Principles of Composition
(iii) A Few Matters of Form
(iv) Words and Expressions Commonly Misused
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University of San Carlos - College of Law LEGAL RESEARCH

LEGAL RESEARCH (LLB 124A) LLB 124A
First Semester, 2018-2019 EH 305 (Wed 7:30-8:30 p.m. /
Atty. Pinky D. Veloso Sat 2:30-3:30 p.m.)
EH 307 (Sat 4:30-6:30 p.m.)

(v) Words Often Misspelled

SOURCES:
 The Chicago Manual of Style
 The Maroonbook: The University of Chicago Manual of Legal Citation
 Strunk and White’s “The Elements of Style”