Legal Research

Lawyers
Group 3
Legal Research
- Is generally the process of finding an
answer to a legal question or checking
for legal precedent that can be cited in
a trial.
- It is part of the legal analysis process
Legal Research Process
1. Analyze the facts and formulate a
preliminary statement of issues
2. Create research plan
3. Conduct background research to
get an overview of the subject
area, identify the issues and terms,
and get ideas from the primary
source
Legal Research Process
4. Search for Primary Law
5. Read and evaluate every material as
the research process proceeds
6. Make sure that the cases are still
relevant and the current version of
the statutes.
7. Refine analysis and formulate
conclusion
Lawyer: As a legal profession
It is one whose
profession is to
conduct lawsuits for
clients or to advise as
to legal rights and
obligations in other
matters.
Attorney
- One who is legally appointed to
transact business on another’s
behalf.
- An agent or substitute, or one who
is appointed and authorized to act
in the place or stead of another
person.
The difference between an
Attorney and a Lawyer
• A lawyer is trained in the field of law.
• An attorney practices the study of
law as a career.
• A lawyer may or may not provide
legal advise.
• An attorney provides legal
representation for a client in a legal
proceeding.
The Use of Legal Research
• Finding the leading case
governing the issues in question
• Preparation for oral arguments
before the courts
• Attorneys must be intimately
familiar with cases relevant to the
issue and be able to instantly
respond with any questions raised
by the judges.
• The purpose of legal research is to
find legal documents that will aid in
finding a solution to a legal problem
• Enabling one to analyse the findings
and reach a conclusion or formulate
an argument based on it is just as
essential.
• Conducting detailed examination of the
available facts of a case which might be
proved if it is thought important to do so.
• This means learning all aspects of what
happened in a case. It also involves being able
to synthesize the facts and legal precedents
which may apply to come up with a coherent
and compelling theory of why one side of a
case should win and why the other(s) should
not.
• It means deciding what facts are important and
focusing attention on them, and identifying
which facts are against and making them seem
less bad and less important.
 Conclusion
• The most important role of legal research
in the field of lawyers is appreciated
especially because it is used in so far as
data gathering is concerned.
• Legal research serves as one of the steps
to solve a particular case handled by
lawyers.
• Lawyers are able to gather, identify and
use the evidences relevant to the case that
are accumulated through legal research.
DANKE!