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Legal Research Basics

General Secondary Sources

Substantive Legal Issues

When researching a substantive legal question, consult a subject-specific treatise when possible. The Research Librarians have created a list of recommended treatises arranged by subject to help you select a resource.

Procedural Legal Issues

When researching a federal procedural question, consult one of the following:

California Secondary Sources

Substantive Legal Issues

1. When researching a substantive legal question, start with one of the following general California sources.

2. Next, consult a California subject-specific treatise. View a list of our recommended treatises.

Procedural Legal Issues

When researching a California procedural issue, consult one of the following.

The Rutter Group, CEB (Continuing Education of the Bar), and Witkin publish excellent California-specific procedural guides.

1. Rutter Guides

2. CEB Practice Guides

3. Witkin