Topic 1 LAWS1006

Topic 1: Researching and using secondary legal sources

Secondary Sources definition

·      Materials in which discuss the law or provide information on primary sources of law

·      Use secondary sources when you need help understanding the law

·      2 major research databases = Lexis+ and Westlaw Australia

Types of secondary legal sources

Evaluating the appropriateness and usefulness of a secondary legal source

Authority (Publisher)

·      Who is publisher? Reputable? Scholarly?

·      If is journal article, is peer reviewed?

 

Authority (Author)

·      Qualified in this area of law?

 

Currency

·      When published/last updated?

 

Objectivity

·      Objective and unbiased?

·      Acknowledge POV’s

·      Balanced argument?

·      Cite reputable sources?

 

Relevance

·      Is it relevant to what I’m researching?

IRAC

Issue

Rule

Analysis/Application

Conclusion