The Importance of Legal Research and Writing Skills for Law Students: A Focus on Popular Legal Research Tools in India
A successful career in law is rooted in sound legal research and writing which make up fundamental skills for all law students. Both academic success and professional practise benefit from effective research and drafting. The two skills go hand in hand with legal research in formulating articulate and persuasive legal arguments. This blog delves into the significance of these skills and highlights popular legal research tools available in India that can enhance the capabilities of law students.
Importance of Legal Research
Legal research is a process by which information which is necessary for formulating legal arguments is retrieved from authoritative sources. For law students, mastering legal research is vital for several reasons:
- Comprehensive research allows students to gain a deeper understanding of legal principles, doctrines, and case laws. This in turn helps them apply the law to the diverse legal problems that they may identify.
- From an academic point of view, legal research is pivotal for producing good quality research papers, policy suggestions as well as thesis. Quality in research work ensures that the researcher can support their arguments with authoritative sources and scholarly opinions.
- From a practical point of view, a practising advocate requires sound research skills in order to identify the applicable laws, rules, regulations and precedents. This helps the lawyers to advise their clients confidently, draft documents and prepare for their oral arguments. Moreover, Early proficiency in these skills gives students a competitive edge in internships and their subsequent legal careers.
- Another crucial advantage of effective legal research is its role in keeping the law student updated. Law is a dynamic discipline which evolves with the changing times. New amendments and precedents can be hard to account for without sound and able research skills. This ensures that the law students’ knowledge remains current and relevant.
The Art of Legal Writing
Legal writing is the ability to communicate legal analysis and arguments in a clear, structured, and persuasive manner. This skill is critical as it is an indispensable skill for a lawyer or a legal scholar to survive and flourish in this profession. In order to master the art of legal writing one must pay special attention to the following:
- Drafting should be done keeping in mind the audience it is catering to. While drafts submitted to the court must formally advocate and persuade, the drafts submitted to a client must be analytical, communicating the state of law in a simple language and making recommendations for the best possible course of action.
- Drafts should be structured with an introduction, an exposition, analysis, and a conclusion. They must be easy to read and comprehend with due credit given to ideas picked from other authors or scholarly works using citations. Use of using complex sentences and redundant vocabulary should be avoided.
- Sources should be thoroughly checked before citing. It is also advisable to use latest judgments to make effective arguments. These are very important to construct compelling arguments supported by solid evidence and logical reasoning.
- Legal documents, including memos, briefs, and contracts, must adhere to professional standards.
Popular Legal Research Tools in India
The advent of digital tools has revolutionized legal research, making it more efficient and accessible. In India, several legal research platforms are particularly beneficial for law students:
- Manupatra: Manupatra is one of India’s most comprehensive legal research databases. It provides access to a vast repository of case laws, statutes, notifications, and legal articles. The platform offers advanced search features, making it easier for students to find relevant information quickly.
- SCC Online: SCC Online is a prominent legal research company that provides comprehensive and authoritative legal information and services to legal professionals, researchers, and law students. It offers extensive legal resources, including case laws, legislation, legal journals, books, and various legal databases.
- LexisNexis: LexisNexis provides access to extensive legal and regulatory content from various jurisdictions, including case law, statutes, regulations, legal commentary, and secondary sources. One of the critical features of LexisNexis is its advanced search capabilities, which enable users to conduct precise and targeted searches across its vast database. The platform employs sophisticated algorithms and indexing systems to ensure accurate and relevant search results, saving users valuable time and effort.
- HeinOnline: HeinOnline provides access to a wide range of legal journals, law reviews, and historical legal documents. It is particularly useful for students conducting in-depth academic research and those seeking international legal resources.
- Westlaw India: Westlaw Legal was initially launched in 1975 by Thomson Reuters, a leading multinational media and information firm. Westlaw Legal offers a range of specialized tools and features designed to simplify various aspects of legal work. These include case analysis tools, citation verification, legal drafting templates, litigation analytics, and legal news updates. Such features save legal professionals time and enable them to make more informed decisions and provide high-quality legal services to their clients.
- Indian Kanoon: It operates as an online platform that provides free access to Indian laws, legal documents, and legal information.
- Legal Eagle: Legal Eagle is an emerging legal research tool tailored for Indian law students and professionals. It offers access to case laws, statutes, and legal news, along with features like case analysis and legal updates.
Conclusion
Conducting legal research in India is an essential and intricate task for law students, legal professionals, and researchers. Fortunately, a variety of powerful tools and databases are available to facilitate this process, offering comprehensive collections of legal information, advanced search functionalities, and user-friendly interfaces.
Authored By
Arushi Anthwal
Assistant Professor
Department of School of Law
The NorthCap University