The Backbone of Advocacy: Why Legal Research Matters

Introduction

Legal research is the foundation of any successful legal case; however, it often goes unnoticed by people outside of the working legal profession. Did you know that, on average, 70% of a lawyer’s time is dedicated to research before they can even consider taking action? Clients understandably want to see rapid results; however, the real benefit of research lies in the lawyer’s ability to delve deep into cases, statutes, regulations, and secondary sources. Legal research builds a strong case and allows a lawyer to put forth the best arguments backed by solid authority.

In essence, why is legal research so valuable, and why is it the backbone of every legal case? Here we will underscore the pivotal role of legal research, how it enhances legal strategies, and why every attorney should be well-versed in it. 

Importance Of Legal Research 

Legal research is a linchpin of any successful legal case. It is the careful process of determining, finding, and interpreting legal sources such as statutes, case law, regulations, and legal articles. Here are some reasons why it is extremely important:

·  Finding Relevant Law: Legal research helps find pertinent laws, rules, and precedents applicable to a given case. This makes it possible to base arguments on solid legal grounds.

·   Constructing Credible Arguments: By analysing legal precedents and understanding legal doctrines, researchers build strong arguments that favour the client’s position.

·  Predicting Court Outcomes: Solid legal research allows legal professionals to anticipate possible legal challenges, predict the answer to the scenario, advise clients accordingly, and develop an effective litigation strategy.

·   Supporting Legal Positions: Legal research provides proof and support for legal claims and defences, thus increasing their credibility and persuasive strength in a court of law.

Thus, in essence, legal research is an indispensable foundation upon which successful representation rests. Legal research makes it sure that the knowing professional has knowledge and understanding to carry out a competent representation on behalf of the clients. Consequently, the best possible outcomes can be achieved through legal research. 

The Influence Of Legal Research On Legal Strategies

When it comes to the law, information is power; knowledge enables lawyers to know the law, interpret statutes, or cite precedents. Willful ignorance in respect to research translates to vanity or lack of conscience in a party.

1.     Understanding of Precedents and Case Law-

Case law is one of the most potent weapons found in legal research. Courts have been referring to the past decisions made in a given case to decide the present one; this has formed a body of case law that will set a precedent for such cases. Taking into consideration past cases in law, a skilled lawyer will know how the courts will interpret certain laws or causes of a case-in-other words, would assist them to win their cases.

2.     Constructing a Strong Argument-

A lawyer may argue well and be believed or disbelieved depending on the strength of such evidence provided in supporting his motions or claims. The legal research uncovers the relevant cases, expert opinions, and relevant dialect in the law of the case study with immense potential in building the groundwork for a sound attorney’s argument. It equips a lawyer with the means to not only effectively argue their case but rebut opposing arguments in a stronger way. 

Key Aspects Of Legal Research Tools That Every Lawyer Needs

Legal research is more than researching the case law or scanning the law dictionary; it is to make effective use of tools in gaining a complete understanding of the problem at hand. Here are some of the surest tools of the trade:

1.     Statutes and Legislation

Every case stem from statutory law; therefore, guidance from relevant statutes should be undertaken. The exact wording of a law, amendments, and the interpretation of the law by courts improve the prospect of presenting the lawyer’s argument.

2.    Case Law

Westlaw, LexisNexis, and similar case law databases provide horded cases and past decisions once accessed by lawyers. These databases make sure to locate the relevant cases with summaries, judgments (full), and analysis of rulings, so that lawyers can compare their facts and outcomes and come up with a fitting case for their own.

3.   Secondary Sources: Commentaries and Journals

Commentaries, journals, and legal articles offer valuable insights into the more complex legal concepts. Lawyers can use these views of the legal scholars and thus further fill in the details of their case with the opinions of the experts. 

Challenges In Legal Research 

Although legal research poses quite a few serious challenges, it is critical for preparing strong cases:

·  The Sheer Volume of Information: The legal landscape is big, and constantly changing. Traversing the mountains of statutes, case law, regulations, and journal articles can be overwhelming and time hemming. With changes constantly being made in law through amendments, interpretation, or repeal, staying up to date with the current law is a continuous and laborious effort.

·   Understanding Complex Legal Language: Legal proceedings can be so convoluted that even an experienced practitioner may find it difficult to digest the technical language.

·  Maintaining Accuracy and Reliability: It is very imperative to maintain the precision of research findings and the integrity of the institutions. This is simply because errors can befall a firm and its clients.

·        Cost of Access: Some of the legal questions become expensive to work on when access to legal databases and research options is withheld.

These challenges highlight the necessity of being a good researcher, the utilization of effective tools and technologies, and a dedication to continuous learning and professional development. 

Conclusion

Legal research is the most indispensable instrument for identifying new nexus in the practice of law. It helps the lawyer to easily maneuver through intricate legal pathways, build arguments, foresee possible challenges, all of these, count upon competent representation for their client. While the quantity of information may be overwhelming, the facts and sheer breadth of information available may contain anything from good to high. The importance of legal research is likely to increase as the profession progresses in the adoption of technology and faces new challenges: Are you ready to know and explore the possibilities legal research has in shaping up more efficacious legal strategies and outcomes? 

This article is authored by Saleha Haneef. She was among the Top 40 performers in the Quiz Competition on New Criminal Laws organized by Lets Learn Law.