CP Legal Research & Writing

Question 1

What is the purpose of legal research?

Accepted Answer

To identify relevant case law and statutes

Answer

To find information on legal procedures.

Answer

To complete paperwork for clients.

Answer

To organize legal documents.

Question 2

How should a legal researcher organize their findings?

Accepted Answer

By categorizing materials according to legal relevance

Answer

By keeping all information in a single document.

Answer

By filing papers by date.

Answer

By summarizing findings without categorizing.

Question 3

What is primary authority in legal research?

Accepted Answer

Primary law such as statutes and case law

Answer

Secondary sources like legal textbooks.

Answer

Public opinion.

Answer

Commentaries and legal blogs.

Question 4

What is the difference between case law and statutory law?

Accepted Answer

Case law comes from judicial decisions, while statutory law comes from legislative bodies

Answer

Statutory law is always more reliable than case law.

Answer

Case law is decided by legislative bodies.

Answer

Case law is only relevant in criminal law.

Question 5

Why is it important to differentiate between primary and secondary sources in legal research?

Accepted Answer

Knowing the difference allows the researcher to apply the correct law to a case

Answer

Primary sources are always more reliable than secondary sources.

Answer

Secondary sources are never useful in legal research.

Answer

It is not important to distinguish between the two.

Question 6

What is the purpose of Shepardizing in legal research?

Accepted Answer

To verify whether a case or statute is still valid

Answer

To check the relevance of a case.

Answer

To compare two cases.

Answer

To summarize a case.

Question 7

What role does a legal brief play in legal research?

Accepted Answer

It presents the facts, law, and legal argument for a case

Answer

It is used to submit a motion.

Answer

It serves only to summarize legal statutes.

Answer

It helps in drafting legal policies.

Question 8

What is the first step in conducting legal research?

Accepted Answer

Defining the legal issue and understanding the facts

Answer

Finding case law related to the issue.

Answer

Reading legal textbooks.

Answer

Drafting a legal document.

Question 9

How does the citation of a legal source enhance legal writing?

Accepted Answer

It verifies the credibility and authority of the legal sources

Answer

It provides the lawyer’s personal opinion.

Answer

It summarizes case law.

Answer

It serves only to fill space in the document.