When would you typically consult a legal encyclopedia?

Consulting a legal encyclopedia is most beneficial when you are seeking an overview of a legal topic. Legal encyclopedias provide broad summaries and explanations of various legal principles, concepts, and doctrines, making them an excellent starting point for researchers who wish to understand the general framework of a legal issue. They offer accessible overviews and give context that can help inform more specific legal research.

The other options imply a need for more detailed or situation-specific information. For instance, detailed case citations are best found in case law databases or legal reporters rather than in encyclopedias. Writing a brief generally requires specific arguments, citations, and precedents that are better sourced from case law or legal treatises. Additionally, when an issue is under litigation, attorneys typically rely on the specifics of case law, statutes, or relevant precedents that directly apply to the matter at hand rather than the broad overviews provided by encyclopedias. Thus, the choice to consult a legal encyclopedia aligns best with the need for a foundational understanding of a legal topic.