Practical Legal

Research

Simulated Legal Practice

Keeley Fletcher

Practical Legal Research

(PLR) vs Academic
Research

Research for different purposes:

Advising a client on a real life legal problem.
Practical solutions to real life problems.

Different sources are used for the different

types of research.

PLR Sources

Practical Law - access through library gateway

Halsburys Laws of England and Wales
Practitioner texts - Lexis- huge range
Procedure Rules - Court rules, written in various books
e.g. criminal, family, civil.
Justice.gov - check if updated well, through lexis
HMCTS Forms Finder (Her Majesty, Court and Tribunal)

IMPORTANT: you must check when your sources were

last updated and who by.

Unreliable Sources

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER,

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER,

NEVER, TO BE USED!!!!! (This is not an
exhaustive list)
alllaw.com
Wikipedia
lawofcontract.co.uk

inbrief.com

Lawteacher.net

clearanswers.co.uk

Solicitor websites

findlaw.co.uk

quizlet.com

bitsoflaw.org

e-lawresources.co.uk

casebrief.me

Research Records

The research record form can be found on the SLP Blackboard

site under module documents in the precedents folder.
"The aim of undertaking research on a case is to answer a question
clearly, and in sufficient detail so that conclusions can be checked
easily.

All research must be recorded on this form. You must list all
resources considered and provide details of where you found each
resource, by way of a bibliography/table of statutes/table of cases.
Give full source references using OSCOLA referencing style. Please
refer to the 'Assessment' tab on the SLP Blackboard site for more
guidance about referencing. Use footnotes where necessary."

Research Examples

Example 1- 68 points
Example 2- 56 points
Example 3- 50 points or less

Completing Research
Records

Recording time in units. 1 unit = 6 minutes, so 1 hour is 60 unis.

Research question(s). Choice of two
Research findings. Same as how you would advise clients
Application to the case - what if it does not apply?
Consideration of your sources. How do you know reliable? Example, it
is reliable because updated, how? when last updated? where it said
etc.
Even if not great source, mentioned when last accessed (maintained)
or if found elsewhere the same etc

Top Tips

Do not delete any of the example form (not

even the notes!).
Application is key to success.
Think about and scrutinise the reliability of
your sources carefully.
Use footnotes and reference using OSCOLA.

Post Lecture Prep

Look out for screencasts on some of the PLR

sources (email Keeley if you want screencasts
on any other PLR sources).
Have a look at PLR guidance in some of the
skills texts (start with resources online list).
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR INTERVIEWS