Making the most of free legal research: a selected annotated bibliography

Abstract

Purpose - This selected annotated bibliography is designed to aid any user with access to the internet in performing legal research, without requiring access to expensive legal research databases and subscription services. Design/methodology/approach - These online resources are regularly referred to by those hoping to help self-represented litigants or those without access to paid legal resources. Findings - As traditional legal research databases, such as HeinOnline, Lexis, and Westlaw become more and more expensive, while at the same time legal services become more expensive, these free and open legal research resources are increasingly important, particularly for self-represented litigants. This selected bibliography contains resources that will be helpful to librarians in all types of libraries, from public to academic, from county law libraries to large, private law school libraries. Originality/value - This is an original annotated bibliography that may be valuable to those working in libraries, who are regularly asked questions about legal research or resources.