As lawyers, attorneys, law students and researchers, finding relevant legal information can be daunting. With the ever-evolving nature of the law and its associated research tools, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the most reliable resources. That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to some of the best free legal research websites available today. In this guide, you’ll find detailed information on each website, including what data they offer and how you can use them effectively in your practice or studies – so that you can experience relevant content again.

Types of Legal Research:

 The best free legal research websites offer various sources and data. Depending on your area of practice or studies, some sites may be more beneficial to you than others. Here are the main types of resources available:

 

a) Case Law – These websites offer access to case law from various jurisdictions. It includes decisions from courts of all levels, judicial opinions and other related documents. These are always helpful for Case Law Research. 

 

b) Statutory Law – These websites provide access to legislation from various jurisdictions. It includes statutes, ordinances, regulations and other related content.

 

c) Secondary Sources – These websites offer additional resources such as legal articles, journals, books and treatises. They also often provide access to legal news and updates worldwide. 

 

SEE ALSO: How To Do Case Law Research: A Step-by-Step Guide

 

Free Legal Research Websites: 

 

JustisOne: 

This website is a comprehensive search engine providing access to an extensive range of content, including case law, legislation and secondary sources. It offers advanced searching capabilities such as natural language query searching, allowing users to locate relevant information quickly. Click here for more details. 

 

Google Scholar:

This free legal research website provides access to a wide range of scholarly literature, including law reviews, court opinions and other related content. It also has an intuitive search interface that makes finding relevant documents easy. 

 

LexisNexis: 

This legal research website offers access to various legal materials, including case law, legislation and secondary sources. It is one of the best websites for accessing up-to-date information, as it regularly updates its content with new decisions and amendments. Click here to find the LexisNexis web.

 

FindLaw:

This website offers extensive legal resources, including court opinions, statutes, news and legal articles. It also provides a comprehensive directory of lawyers, which can be used to find an attorney in your area. Click here to reach the source.  

Westlaw:

This website is a leading provider of legal research materials, offering access to case law, legislation and secondary sources. Its intuitive search interface makes locating relevant documents quick and easy.  

Cornell’s Law Collection: 

This website is an excellent resource for legal research, offering access to case law, statutes and other relevant materials. It also has a wealth of secondary sources such as books, journals and articles. 

Library to Congress Guide to Law Online:  

This website provides a comprehensive guide to American and international law, including case law, legislation and secondary sources. It is an invaluable resource for researchers looking for authoritative legal information. 

The Federal Government Publications Site:  

This website offers access to official publications from the U.S. Federal Government, including legislation, Court opinions and other related content. It is an excellent resource for researchers looking for authoritative legal documents. 

Public Library Of Law:

This website provides free access to an extensive range of legal materials, including case law, statutes and secondary sources. It also offers a powerful search engine that makes locating relevant documents easy. Click here for more details. 

 Washlaw Website:

(http://www.washlaw.edu/)

 

This website is an excellent resource for legal research, offering access to materials such as case law, statutes and secondary sources. It also provides a wealth of legal information on topics such as bankruptcy, civil rights, criminal justice and more.  

National Center For State Courts:

(http://www.ncsc.org/)

This website provides extensive legal resources, including court opinions, statutes and other related documents. It is a valuable resource for researchers looking for authoritative information on state court rulings. 

Leagle Web:

(http://leagle.com)

This website offers free access to an extensive range of legal materials, including case law, statutes and secondary sources. It also has an intuitive search engine that makes finding relevant documents quick and easy. 

Dragnet-New York Law School Library: 

(http://www.nyls.edu/library/library_services/dragnet1/dragnet/)

 This website provides access to an extensive range of legal resources, including case law, statutes and other related documents. It is a valuable resource for researchers looking for authoritative information on New York state court rulings. Click here for more details. 

How to use free legal research websites: 

Free legal research websites are invaluable for lawyers, attorneys, law students and researchers. Here are some best practices for getting the most out of your search:

 a) Be specific – When searching for case law, statutes or other documents, use specific keywords or phrases in your search query. It will help you narrow down the results and make finding relevant documents much easier.

 b) Narrow down results – Once you’ve located a document, use the advanced search options to refine your search results further. It will ensure that you only get documents related to your area of practice or study. 

 c) Read updates – Legal publications and websites often provide updates on recent cases and amendments to legislation. Make sure to read these updates regularly to stay up-to-date with the law. 

 d) Take advantage of free resources – There are plenty of free legal research websites available, so take advantage of them. These websites often provide access to a wide range of legal materials and can be used in place of more expensive subscription-based services. 

SEE ALSO: What Everyone Ought to Know About The US Practical Law?

Finding the Right Resources:

Your legal research can be a time-consuming task. With the best free legal research websites, you can easily locate relevant documents and stay up-to-date with the law. By following best practices, such as using specific keywords in your search query and taking advantage of free resources, you can ensure that your research is accurate and up to date.

Legislation and Regulations

Federal Register:

(https://www.federalregister.gov/)

 The Federal Register is an official daily publication for rules, proposed rules and notices of federal agencies and organizations, executive orders and other presidential documents. It provides access to the full text of all current regulations and is a great resource for researching federal laws and regulations.

GPO Access:

(http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/)

 GPO Access is a database of official US federal government publications, including congressional bills, executive orders and other documents related to public policy decisions. It is an invaluable resource for researchers looking for up-to-date information on federal laws and regulations. 

FDsys Regulations:

(http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/browse/collectionCfr.action?collectionCode=CFR)

 The FDsys Regulations is a searchable collection of current and historical federal regulations from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). It provides access to the full text of all federal regulations, as well as up-to-date information on any changes that have been made. 

 State statutes:

(https://www.lawserver.com/states/)

 LawServer is a comprehensive online legal library containing state statutes for all 50 US states and the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Its searchable database makes it easy to locate relevant documents quickly and efficiently. 

New York State Law:

(https://www.nysenate.gov/laws/state-laws)

 The New York Senate’s website provides access to the full text of all current New York State laws. It is an invaluable resource for those researching state-specific laws and regulations. 

 Secondary Sources and Commentary:

 Westlaw Edge:

(https://edge.westlaw.com/)

 Westlaw Edge is a comprehensive legal research database that provides access to a wealth of secondary sources and commentary on legal matters. It contains journals, legal encyclopedias, treatises, law reviews and more – making it perfect for in-depth legal research. 

 Lexis Advance:

(https://www.lexisnexis.com/en-us/products/lexis-advance.page)

 Lexis Advance is a comprehensive legal research platform that provides access to an extensive collection of secondary sources and commentary on legal issues. It includes case law, treatises, law reviews, legal encyclopedias and more – making it an invaluable resource for legal researchers. 

 Barclay’s Law Reports:

(https://barclayslawreports.com/)

Barclay’s Law Reports is an online database of authoritative legal publications worldwide. It provides access to a wealth of secondary sources and commentary on legal issues, making it perfect for in-depth research. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Using these best free legal research websites can help you stay up to date with the law and provide quick and easy access to relevant documents and materials. Remember – when researching the law, use best practices such as using specific keywords in your search query and taking advantage of free resources. With the right tools and resources, you can ensure that your legal research is thorough and accurate. 

 Happy researching!