Courts make decisions based on legal sources that help guide them. These sources are divided into two main types: primary and secondary.
Primary Sources:
What They Are: These include laws, court cases, and rules.
How They're Used: Courts depend on primary sources because they set strong examples that must be followed. For instance, around 75% of court decisions refer to past court cases.
Examples: When the U.S. Supreme Court makes a ruling, it can set a rule that lower courts must follow.
Secondary Sources:
What They Are: These include law books, academic articles, and detailed explanations of legal topics.
How They're Used: While secondary sources aren't required to be followed, they help lawyers and judges understand complex legal issues. About 60% of legal professionals look at these sources for clarification.
Examples: Articles in law reviews can affect how courts think by providing thoughtful analysis.
In simple terms, primary sources lay the groundwork for court decisions, while secondary sources help deepen understanding and context.
Courts make decisions based on legal sources that help guide them. These sources are divided into two main types: primary and secondary.
Primary Sources:
What They Are: These include laws, court cases, and rules.
How They're Used: Courts depend on primary sources because they set strong examples that must be followed. For instance, around 75% of court decisions refer to past court cases.
Examples: When the U.S. Supreme Court makes a ruling, it can set a rule that lower courts must follow.
Secondary Sources:
What They Are: These include law books, academic articles, and detailed explanations of legal topics.
How They're Used: While secondary sources aren't required to be followed, they help lawyers and judges understand complex legal issues. About 60% of legal professionals look at these sources for clarification.
Examples: Articles in law reviews can affect how courts think by providing thoughtful analysis.
In simple terms, primary sources lay the groundwork for court decisions, while secondary sources help deepen understanding and context.