Introduction

Studying law is a rewarding but often overwhelming experience. Sometimes it can feel as if you are learning another language—there are rules and cultural procedures you need to follow to understand why things are the way they are. This resource is intended to provide foundational guidance to students starting legal research for the first time.

Legal Research Essentials is divided into four parts reflecting the different techniques and sources you are likely to encounter in your studies:

• Part 1: Research Skills introduces the concept of legal research, identifies the key sources of legal information, and the importance of researching strategically.
• Part 2: Secondary Sources focuses on the role of secondary sources in legal research.
• Part 3: Case Law provides an introduction on how to locate cases by citation or topic, and judge a case’s reliability.
• Part 4: Legislation provides an overview of the parliamentary process, how to find legislation and the materials used for statutory interpretation.

This guide primarily includes examples from the Queensland and Commonwealth jurisdictions.