Should you start your research with secondary sources for each unfamiliar legal issue?

Starting your research with secondary sources for unfamiliar legal issues is a recommended practice. Secondary sources provide a broad overview of the law, context, and analysis that can be incredibly helpful in understanding complex legal topics. These sources include legal encyclopedias, treatises, journal articles, and practice guides that distill legal concepts, case law, and statutes into more accessible formats.

Engaging with secondary sources first allows researchers to build a foundational understanding of the legal principles involved, identify key issues, and discover relevant primary sources, such as statutes and case law, that are pertinent to their specific legal problem. This method can lead to more efficient and effective research, as it helps in formulating targeted queries for further investigation into primary sources.

When beginning legal research, secondary sources are often essential for providing the guidance needed to navigate the often intricate legal landscape, particularly for those who may be new to a given area of law or legal issue. This foundational insight can streamline the research process and enhance overall comprehension, making it a prudent starting point for legal inquiries.