Legal treatises, or books, are often a good way to begin researching a legal topic. These treatises can be one volume or multi-volume, and may be updated with pocket parts. They provide a discussion of the law in that area and can give you references to other research materials. A few of the treatises & books on legal history available at the Taggart Law Library include:
Sometimes by browsing the stacks in a particular area, you can find something better than what you were originally looking for! Here are some selected subject headings for statutory interpretation:
Encyclopedias: Legal encyclopedias provide general overviews of legal topics and references to other research materials. These encyclopedias will have a subject index to help you find entries by topic. For example, if you wanted to look up the topic “First Amendment” in the index, it might lead you to the encyclopedia’s article on “Constitutional Law" which you could then look up in the appropriate encyclopedia volume.
A.L.R. Annotations: Experts in a particular area of the law write the annotations, or articles, found in American Law Reports. They usually focus on a very narrow area of the law and can provide case citations and references to other secondary sources. Annotations can be found topically using the index or from citations found in other secondary sources.
West Academic Study Aids Collection is provided by your law school library and offers you access to hundreds of trusted study aids, convenient audiobooks and lectures, and interactive practice questions to help you succeed in law school. Information on how to set up your West Academic account can be found on our Law School Success Guide.
Through ONU's POLAR catalog, ONU students have access to online study aids from a variety of sources. Below are a few relevant to statutory interpretation:
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