legal research topics in nigeria

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Sources of law.

Legal research is the systematic process of conducting enquiry by identifying and retrieving information to support or make rational legal decision. In its broadest sense, legal research includes step by step approach of discovering the fact, evaluating of the facts and application of the fact in solving legal issues. Legal research is holistically, the process of finding an answer to a legal question or checking for legal precedent that can be cited in a brief or at trial.

Law Library as a Centre for Legal Research and Depository of Legal Resources

Law library belongs to the special library category of library as it serves special research needs of lawyers in their day-to-day business of providing legal advice, assistance, representation and other services to the clients. Law library is the library that is found within the law firms, court, faculties of law in universities, Law Schools, and other legal institutions to serve as a research unit that supplies research resources, legal information services and research-support assistance to the lawyers for the day-to-day legal operations.

A law library is the library set up to provide legal materials to assist judicial officers, other members of the court and their clients in case of the court, law scholars and students in academic institutions and other law officers in ministries, police stations and other law related bodies.

The law library is as important as the law profession itself because “Legal profession needs information on how to determine the case, argue or represent a client before the law court, and how to pass the law examination”. The law library is very crucial in all aspect of legal profession, as it encourages scholarly research by maintaining an environment conducive to study.

The heartbeat of every law library is the holdings of legal information resources containing primary and secondary sources of law in its disposal

Information Resources in Law Libraries

Law libraries are rich with numerous materials that contain sources of law. Both the primary and secondary sources of law are predominant in the law library for research purposes. The law library serves as a law laboratory where legal professionals resort to in search of laws or authorities without which, it is impossible to dispense right legal advice, agreement, justice, opinion and other legal transactions. Information resources in law library are in both print and electronic format which contain laws and other legal related matters. With respect to the sources of law, information resources in law library are divided into the following categories:

• Primary information sources
• Secondary information sources

Primary Information Resources in Nigerian Law Libraries

Primary resources are legal information resources that constitute laws or ground norms, precedents and binding authorities that determine the decision or judgment of the court. They are regarded as primary resources because they contain primary sources of law. The materials contain first-hand legal information that has not been diluted. Example of primary information resources include:

Constitution (1999 Nigerian Constitution), Statutes, Acts, Decrees, Rules, Codes, Ordinances (Federal and State Government bodies), Parliament Debates, bills, Law Reports or Court Judgments (Supreme Court, State High Courts, Tribunals, Special Courts).

Secondary Information Resources in Nigerian Law Libraries

Secondary information sources are the materials that contain information derived or extracted from the primary sources of law and have undergone diluted processes or certain alterations. They include text books of different practice areas and others, Journals /Law reviews, Law digests, inter alia.

Research Support-Services of the Law Libraries

Law library provides myriads of services to the patrons. Based on the purpose of this study, attention should be given to research services provided by the law libraries other than the general services of the law library. The law library will help you find the information you need by helping you select and use the proper sources depending on your needs, resources, and location. However, as the general rule implies, research librarians do not perform research for the users or give legal advice but only support researchers through provision of their needed information resources that facilitate their research activities. The research services of the law library include the following:

1. Research and Reference

This is the kind of services provided by the library through the law librarian. The librarian handles a wide variety of research requests, ranging from those requiring a quick or ready answer to an extensive or critical analysis or examination of issues and resources. No request is too small or too large, they all required expertise and in-depth knowledge of the sources of law and in some cases, laws itself.

2. Research Guidance / Training

Law library provides research guidance and training to the legal researchers on relevant material, help develop research strategies for different kinds of research and develop research guides. The law librarians ensure that researchers are properly guided on how to navigate various legal databases, legal e-portals and offline legal tools.

3. E-Resources Access Support

Another research service of a law library is assisting researchers in both accessing and using the many electronic resources. Most law libraries in Nigeria subscribed to varieties of legal databases of both local and foreign jurisdiction including Lawpavilion, Legalpedia, Heinonline, Bloomberg, Westlaw, and LexisNexis, Practical law and so on.

4. Current Awareness

The law librarian gathers the research interest or areas of the researchers and notify them of new resources and services that may be of interest to you. Services offered may include notification of the changes in law or new publications notifications through emails, text messages, news feed, phone call, fax or by words of mouth, new acquisitions notices, routing of journals issues and so on.

5. Document Delivery

The librarian will conduct a literature search, obtain the books, articles and other materials that the researcher needs for his or her research. If such materials are not available in the Library, alternative measure might be taken to obtain the resources from another library through inter-library loan, purchase a copy or another avenue. Once the concerned material or information is retrieved, it will be delivered to the requester either in print or electronically, according to the researchers’ preference (Some libraries charge a fee for this service).

Nigeria’s Premium Online Legal Guide

Welcome to the official website of NigerianLawGuru.Com. This site is Nigeria’s premier online legal guide and it’s designed to serve all your legal research and reference needs. We do hope you will enjoy your time on this site.

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Towards Effective Legal Writing in Nigeria

Journal of Commonwealth Law and Legal Education, Vol. 12, No. 1, Autumn 2017

30 Pages Posted: 17 Dec 2017 Last revised: 11 Sep 2022

Ekokoi Solomon

Faculty of Law, University of Uyo, Nigeria

Date Written: 2017

This article examines legal writing – an important module in legal training in law faculties of Nigerian universities, albeit the teaching of legal research and writing have not been accorded the high priority they deserve. It examines how to write an effective legal research report, with the general assumption that prior legal research has been effectively and methodologically conducted. It identifies the lack of teaching of legal research methods/methodology, especially at the undergraduate level, as a major impediment to effective legal academic writing in Nigeria. The article argues that the inadequacy in the teaching of legal research methods and methodology in the faculties of law of Nigerian universities, to a large extent, has negative impact on the aptitude and quality of legal writing by the country’s legal academics, as well as judges, legal draftsmen and law advocates. The article puts forward three recommendations that are aimed at addressing the impediments to effective legal writing in Nigeria.

Keywords: Legal research, legal academic writing, legal education, Nigeria

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Ekokoi Solomon (Contact Author)

Faculty of law, university of uyo, nigeria ( email ).

Uyo, Akwa Ibom State 520271 Nigeria 2348055458711 (Phone)

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2 Electronic Waste & Developing Economies ~ E.U. Onyeabor

3 Legal Framework for Nigeria’s Investors Protection Fund ~ E.O. Nwosu & C. Ngozi

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7 A Critical Analysis of the Challenges to and Prospects of the Right to Development as a Human Right ~ D.U. Ajah

8 Nigeria and Cameroon The Bakassi Dispute ~ J. Ezeilo

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1- Criminal Law_What Remedy for the Consumers of Hospitality Services – Etafia E. Ekanem

2- Protection of Consumers of Transportation Services Under the Motor Vehicles (Third Party Insurance) Act in Nig~1

3 – Appraisal of the Jurisdictional Regime of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria – Anthony Nwazuoke & Chine~1

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6 – Is Environmental Law Implicit in Planning Law – Emmanuel Onyeabor & Helen U. Agu

7 – Mortgage of Land as Security under the Land Use Act 1978 – Dorothy E. Nelson

8 – Striking a Balance Between International Trade, Sustainable Development and Human Rights – Damian U. Ajah & C~1

The Nigerian Juridical Review Vol. 12. 2014

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2 Justifying the Right to Health Care (UNEC) Omoregie & Momodu Corrected(1)

3 The United States and Use of Unilateral Sanctions Echa

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7 Consumer Protection in the Regulation of Telecommunication Services Ukwueze

8 Does Nigeria Follow Contemporary Global Trends in Tax Dispute Resolution Strategy Odinkonigbo and Ezeuko

9 REFORMING PRIVITY OF CONTRACT RULE IN NIG Arishe

The Nigerian Juridical Review Vol. 13. 2015

1 Terrorism and Nigerian Child – Damilola

2 Clearing the Hurdles – Ajah & Nnaji

3 Inequitable Trade Rules in WTO – Adibe & Obiefuna

4 Public Participation in EIA – Ijaiya

5.Rethinking the Basis of Corporate Criminal Responsibility –

6 Elevating Consumer Rights – Ukwueze

7 Trademark becomes Victim of Genericide – Itanyi

8 Environmental Constitutionalism – Okonkwo 9 Requirments of Due Diligence – Ezike

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Guide to Law Online: Nigeria

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Have a question? Need assistance? Use our online form to ask a librarian for help.

Authors: Emily Carr, Senior Legal Reference Librarian, Law Library of Congress

Louis Myers, Senior Legal Reference Librarian, Law Library of Congress

Editors: Anna Price, Senior Legal Reference Librarian, Law Library of Congress

Barbara Bavis, Bibliographic and Research Instruction Librarian, Law Library of Congress

Skyelar Reel, Global Legal Research Intern, Law Library of Congress

Note: This guide is adapted from a research guide page originally found at Law.gov .

Created: July 22, 2011

Last Updated: July 20, 2024

The Guide to Law Online is an annotated collection of links to free online legal materials and pertinent resources in the Library of Congress catalog, organized by jurisdiction. The Guide is not meant to be an exhaustive list of resources, but it covers all relevant research areas for each jurisdiction. Each Guide to Law Online jurisdictional guide is divided into the following areas:

This Guide to Law Online research guide focuses on the country of Nigeria. In compiling this research guide, emphasis has been placed on sites offering the full texts of laws, regulations, and court decisions, along with commentary from lawyers writing primarily for other lawyers. Materials related to law and government that were written by or for lay persons also have been included, as have government sites providing general information. Although this research guide is selective, inclusion of a site or resource does not constitute endorsement by the Law Library of Congress.

If researchers have information identifying any online sources not yet included, as well as comments on errors or changes in addresses, conditions, or contents that warrant changes in the descriptions of these jurisdictional guides, please submit suggestions via the Law Library's Ask a Librarian form. The editors of the guide are grateful for your feedback.

About the Law Library of Congress

The Law Library of Congress contains the world’s largest collection of law books and legal resources. It is a repository for the complete record of American law and holds foreign law materials covering all major national, state, and equivalent jurisdictions. In 1832, the Law Library was officially established to provide the United States Congress and Supreme Court with access to current and accurate legal research materials. Over time, our mission was expanded to include other branches of the U.S. Government, the public, and the global legal community. This evolving mission is supported by a collection of around three million volumes and brings together the expertise of approximately 100 lawyers, librarians, other professionals, and support staff who provide legal reference, research, and analysis using the Law Library’s collection. We also draw upon the collections and expertise of our colleagues throughout the Library of Congress.

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How To Conduct Legal Research

By Umar Ishaq Katsinawa

Introduction

In general sense, legal profession cannot do without research and findings, because law is not static but dynamic subject to the changes of the society. Therefore, a lawyer must always do engage in research to know the current law that will favour him. Therefore, it’s partinent especially for the younger ones, to know the procedure for conducting legal research.

In this write up, I will like to briefly outline the procedure on how to make a good legal research, and some importance of legal research to Lawyers and any person in legal profession like students, law teachers, lawyers, solicitors and judges.

Meaning of Legal Research

Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Fifth edition, Oxford University press (1995) p.996 defined research to mean “careful study or investigation in order to discover new fact or information”.

According to Romberg’s (1975) the word research has its stem “search” which means’look for’, with prefix ‘re’ which means”to look for again, more carefully, more exhaustively”. Research has to do with careful searching out or looking for something in order to understand whatever one is examining.

Legal Research is the careful and detail study of facts and law, in order to achieve a desired legal result. According to Malami E. Legal Research Involve a systematic and objective inquiry or investigation into the basic facts, sources, ideas or concepts, principles and institutions of law.

Legal research can also mean the process of finding information necessary to support legal decision making.

Methods Of Legal Research

There are two different methods of conducting legal research. Doctrinal and empirical method

Doctrinal Method of research is when the researcher rely on the theoritical aspects. Such as books, journals, Magazines, statute, law reports, news papers among others. This type of research has more connection to legal research.

Empirical Method of research is where by the researcher will rely on practical aspects. Such as experiment, distributing questionnaire, interview among others.

Characteristics of a Good Legal Research Topic

• The topic must be researchable.
• It must be interesting.
• It must contribute or add to knowledge.
• It must be within the framework of legal issues.
• It must be within the ability of a researcher to carry it out.

Importance Of Legal Research

Importance of legal research cannot be over emphasize:

Legal Research helps Lawyers in Identifying new legal theories with a view of adopting them.

Legal research helps in grooming and developing the experience of a Lawyers and younger ones.

Legal Research helps a lawyer to meet the dynamism of the law. Because law is always subject to changes.

Law is versatile. A lawyer must engage in legal research to know different things needed to him by the society.

Lawyers must engage in legal research in order to be acquainted with the recent cases of the superior courts of records.

Legislatures always spend there time, writing new laws, and modifying the old ones. Therefore a lawyer need research to know the new laws at all the time.

A lawyer need to convince the court to change to the right decision, in case it takes wrong decision either in the interpretation or application of the law. Therefore research is imperative to Lawyers.

Research helps a lawyer to know the current law that will come to his aid.

Pertinent Method of Legal Research

• Arrange the legal issues you will need to research on.
• Investigate the research terms.
• Consider the timeframe.
• Read from both the primary and secondary sources.
• Look up ethics, non-legal and other materials needed.

Sources of Legal Research Materials

Legal research materials are divided into two: primary and secondary materials.

• Primary materials: these are statute and case law

To search for a statute, a researcher needs to know the year the statute was made and the name of the statute. For example, you want to look for Evidence Act 2011 , you will go to the index of the law made in 2011, it was arrange in alphabetical order, then look for letters ‘E’ you will see it, then take it and make you research.

On the other hand, to search for case law, a researcher must know the name of the parties,  a year in which the case was reported, type of the law report, volume, part and page of the report. For example, you want to search for the case of Attorney general of Kaduna state & others Vs Victor bassey atta & others (1986)4 NWLR (pt.38) 785 all you need to do as a researcher is, to look for a series of Nigerian Weekly Law Report, volume 4 of 1986, part 38 at page 785.

• Secondary Materials: these include articles, juristic opinion, legal encyclopedia, text book etc

Generally, the procedure for searching secondary materials in our standard law library, is using card catalogue which includes: subject and authors catalogue.

Card catalogue: are cards designed by the librarian in the drawer of library that contains the name of the authors and subjects of the books in the library.

Subject catalogue include all the subjects of the books in the library, while authors catalogue include the name of the authors of all the books in the library.

From the above write up, we have discussed on a procedure to make good research, and we have seen how imperative the research is, to the judges, lawyers, law teachers and students of law.

There was a popular saying that says: Lawyers are different from the laymen not because they know the law, but because they know where to find the law.

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Legal Tech in Nigeria: Applications and Implications (An Independent Report)

2019, Legal Tech in Nigeria: Applications and Implications (An Independent Report)

Technological innovations like artificial intelligence and or machine learning are disrupting many industries and the legal industry is not an exception. While there is a lot of material on how legal technologies have disrupted the practice of law in other jurisdictions, there is little material for same in Nigeria. This report therefore considers the meaning, history, applications, benefits and implications of legal tech in Nigeria. It also includes a survey of legal tech companies in Nigeria vis-a-vis solutions provided by them. It is found out that many advanced legal tech solutions prevalent on other jurisdictions are still absent in Nigeria. Recommendations, therefore are targeted to some stakeholders in the industry.

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Research under nigerian legal system: understanding the sources of law for effective research activities in law libraries.

Wisdom Okereke Anyim , Miyetti Law Library, Abuja, Nigeria Follow

Document Type

Abubakar, I.A. (2005). Law Librarianship in the 21st Century: Professional Skills and Competencies. Nigerian Current Legal Problems, 6 (1), 81 -100

Akinyemi, N. (2017). Judicial Library Service in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges. Paper Presented at the Biennial National Workshop for Judiciary Librarians, National Judicial Institute, Abuja on 8th-12th May, 2017.

Black Law Dictionary (9th ed.) (2009). Dallas: Thomson Reuters.

Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford (2019). Legal Skills and Research: Legal Research. [ Online] Available https://ox.libguides.com/law-legalskills (March 21, 2019)

Cornell University Law School (2019). Research. [Online] Available https://law.library.cornell.edu/ research (March 21, 2013)

Court of Appeal Nigeria (2015). Court Divisions. http://www.courtofappeal.com.ng. Retrieved on March17, 2019.

Dina, Y., Akintayo, J. & Ekundayo, F. (2005). Guide to Nigerian Legal Information. [Online Available http://www.GUIDE%20TO%20NIGERIAN%20LEGAL%20INFORMATION%20- %20GlobaLex.html#_LEGAL_SYSTEM (March 15, 2019)

Findlaw (2019).What is Legal Research ? : Thomson Reuters. [Online] Available https:// hirealawyer.findlaw.com/choosing-the-right-lawyer/legal-research.html (March 12, 2019)

Gusau, I.B. (2017). Paper Presented at the Biennial National Workshop for Judiciary Librarians, National Judicial Institute, Abuja on 8th-12th May, 2017.

Miyetti Law (2019). Miyetti Law Library Bulletin.

Olorufemi, D.Y. and Mostert, J. (2012). Information seeking behaveour of law students in a developing country: a literature review. [Online] Available http// www.lis.uzulu.ac.za/ Reasearch/2012/Yemisi%20and%50Mostert%20SECSAL.%20UZ .%207.pdf (March 20, 2019)

The university of Lowa (2019). Law Library: Policies. [Online] Available https:// library.law.uiowa.edu/policies#Legal%20Research%20and%20Legal%20Advice

The paper examines research from Nigerian Legal System’s prospective and explores sources of Nigerian law as a prerequisite for effective research services in law libraries. It coherently, explains the concept of legal research, and also law library as a centre for legal research and depository of information resources. Different kinds of legal resources available in Nigerian Law libraries were identified including various research-support services in law libraries. The study adopted simple explanatory method to enhance comprehensiveness of the content.

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Legal Research in Nigeria

• September 12, 2022
• LawGlobal Hub

Table of Contents

Legal Research is the process of identifying and retrieving information necessary for making legal decisions or reaching legal conclusions. It involves finding the appropriate law that governs an activity or sector, as well as materials that analyze the law. Legal research is the process of determining the legal position of a subject-matter.

In Nigeria, a good legal research will identify the position of the subject-matter from primary to secondary sources of law . A look at the position of the law in foreign jurisdiction is also important when necessary.

Therefore, a careful study of statutory provisions and judicial precedents are of ultimate importance as primary sources of law in Nigeria. Additionally, a look into legal dictionaries, reports, articles, law digests etc. written by professionals in the field is significant.

Nigerian Legal Research at LawGlobal Hub

LawGlobal Hub as a top legal web repository/blog has helped thousands of Nigeria find legal information online. From legal articles, statutory provisions, to rationes decidendi, LawGlobal Hub has provided easily accessible legal provisions for more than two years for legal practitioners, law students and other users .

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LawPavilion Blog

No1 legaltech resource in Africa

30 Websites Every Nigerian Lawyer Should Know

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• Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) – nba.org.ng : The NBA is a non-profit umbrella professional association of all lawyers admitted to the Bar in Nigeria.
• Nigerian Lawyers Association – nigerianlawyers.org : Promoting Law and Justice in our communities.
• National Judicial Council – njc.gov.ng : The National Judicial Council is one of the Federal Executive Bodies created by virtue of Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In order to insulate the Judiciary from the whims and caprices of the Executive; hence guarantee the independence of this Arm of Government.
• Central Bank of Nigeria – cbn.gov.ng : The Central Bank of Nigeria is charged with the responsibility of administering the Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Act (1991) as amended, with the sole aim of ensuring high standards of banking practice and financial stability through its surveillance activities, as well as the promotion of an efficient payment system.
• LawPavilion – lawpavilion.com : LawPavilion is Africa’s leading electronic Legal Research and Practice Management solution developed by Grace InfoTech Limited. Boasting of an impressive suite of products (Electronic Law Report, Solicitors Toolkit, Case Manager, Court Manager) for legal practitioners, Judges, Academics and students. LawPavilion uses IT to improve how Law is practiced in Nigeria and Africa at large. Its website has a fully integrated blog that provides relevant information to enhance efficiency of Legal practitioners.
• Corporate Affairs Commission – cac.gov.ng : The Corporate Affairs Commission was established by the Companies and Allied Matters Act, which was promulgated in 1990 to regulate the formation and management of companies in Nigeria.
• Nigerian Copyright Commission – copyright.gov.ng : The mission of the NCC is to advance the growth of the creative industry in Nigeria through the dissemination of copyright knowledge, efficient administration and protection of rights.
• Trademarks, Patents and Designs Registry: Commercial Law Department – iponigeria.com : The Commercial Law Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments administers protection of trademarks, patents and designs in Nigeria and is committed to providing prompt and excellent service delivery consistent with modern innovation and technology as well as raising the profile of Nigeria in the area of intellectual property protection.
• Standards Organization of Nigeria – son.gov.ng : The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) is the sole statutory body that is vested with the responsibility of standardising and regulating the quality of all products in Nigeria.
• Nigerian Communications Commission – ncc.gov.ng : The Nigerian Communications Commission is the independent National Regulatory Authority for the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.
• Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission – nercng.org : The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is an independent regulatory agency which was inaugurated on 31st October 2005 as provided in the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005.
• Legal Aid Council of Nigeria – legalaidcouncil.gov.ng : The Nigerian Legal Aid Council is a body under the Federal Ministry of Justice set up by the Federal Government in 1976 to provide free legal services to Nigerian citizens who cannot afford the services of private legal practitioners.
• Bureau of Public Procurement – bpp.gov.ng : The Public Procurement Act 2007 established the Bureau of Public Procurement as the regulatory authority responsible for the monitoring and oversight of public procurement, harmonizing the existing government policies and practices by regulating, setting standards and developing the legal framework and professional capacity for public procurement in Nigeria.
• Federal Inland Revenue Service – firs.gov.ng : Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act No. 13 of 2007 formally established the Federal Inland Revenue Service to control and administer the different taxes and laws specified in the First Schedule or other laws made from time to time by the National Assembly or other regulations made thereunder by the Government of the Federation and to account for all taxes collected.
• Independent National Electoral Commission – inecnigeria.org : The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was established by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to among other things organize elections into various political offices in the country.
• National Human Rights Commission – nigeriarights.gov.ng : The National Human Rights Commission was established by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Act, 1995, as amended by the NHRC Act, 2010, in line with the resolution of the United Nations General Assembly which enjoins all member States to establish national human rights institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights.
• Economic and Financial Crimes Commission – efccnigeria.org : The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is a Nigerian law enforcement agency that investigates financial crimes such as advance fee fraud (419 fraud) and money laundering.
• Public Complaints Commission – pcclagos.com : The Public Complaints Commission has the sole and specific mandate to address any administrative injustice in any of the Government establishment in the Federal, State and Local Government.
• Ayo Sogunro – ayosogunro.com : Ayo Sogunro is a Writer, Teacher, a seasoned Lawyer and Social Critic. He blogs about social justice and leadership in Nigeria.
• Three Legals Blog – threelegals.com : We are a bunch of ‘unserious’ lawyers with a ‘serious’ vision of creating a lively and fun-filled online community of Nigerian Lawyers. We call ourselves the LEGALS, and here we are three in number.
• Super Lawyers – http://blog.superlawyers.com/ : A rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.
• Lawyernomics – lawyernomics.avvo.com : This blog seeks to provide practical and actionable tips for solo and small firm lawyers who want to grow and manage their practices more effectively.
• Bitter Lawyer – bitterlawyer.com : Legal humour, entertainment, video and news.
• Above the Law – abovethelaw.com : Takes a behind-the-scenes look at the world of law. It provides news and insights about the profession’s most colourful personalities and powerful institutions, as well as original commentary on breaking legal developments.
• Lawyerist – lawyerist.com : Helps lawyers build better law practices by publishing the best information and advice for solo and small-firm lawyers.
• Lowering the Bar – loweringthebar.net : Provides legal humour, seriously.
• Startup Lawyer – startuplawyer.com : Provides counsel regarding incorporation, seed financings, venture capital financings, and acquisitions.
• Law Insider – thelawinsider.com : LegalTech and Business of Law blog that’s dedicated to tracking trends in LegalTech, profiling start-ups, interviewing legal innovators, reviewing technology.
• Chatham House – chathamhouse.org : The Royal Institute for International Affairs.
• The Wall Street Journal| Law Blog – http://blogs.wsj.com/law/ : Law Blog on Cases, Trends and Personalities in the Business.

18 thoughts on “ 30 Websites Every Nigerian Lawyer Should Know ”

This is very great for Lawyers.

Thank you for the innovative, pioneering roles you are taking to equip Nigerian lawyers. Fro Osaretin Dickson Airhihenbuwa,Esq

Pls notify me of any current legal news

Amazing post and also great suggestions! This publish is very beneficial and great for us. Thanks for discussing valuable details.

Thank you for this article. I have been searching for a good law website in Nigeria for long. Good bless you!

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Great content!

Do you accept guest post? I want to share contents on Lawyer marketing.

Hello Dan, thank you. We have a content contributors’ link here: https://forms.gle/7ygHw4ZATYxfvWea9

No doubt, law Pavillion is the best legal website in Nigeria today. I really respect the work of your guys. Keep the good work going!!

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Great post, will change back for similar post.

This is really nice, Please sir i have been searching for the best Practice Camber in Nigeria, can you please help out on it sir.. I check this website out. https://nkedugists.com.ng/uk-universities-that-study-law/ but it didn’t give me what i really want Thanks sir hoping to get a reply from you sir

Good stuff. But I observed some of the websites on the list are redundant. You need to update the article and include active sites like LawTruly.

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This Week in the Law Library … July 15, 2024

This week in the Law Library we’re looking at more bar exam resources, reviewing more basic legal research skills for summer, and celebrating Disability Pride Month.

Bar Exam Study Resources

Congratulations! You have made it through law school but now the bar exam looms. Don’t worry, the Law Library’s got your back. When you’ve caught your breath and you’re ready to start your bar studying, we have resources that can help. Check out our Bar Exam Research Guide .

The July 2024 bar examination will be administered at the Roberts Centre , 123 Gano Road, Wilmington, Ohio July 30-31, 2024. The Holiday Inn Roberts Centre room block opens on May 14, 2024, at 11 am. Learn more at: Ohio Bar Exam

5 More Resources to Help You Study for the Bar Exam

The Bar Exam is not a sprint, it’s a marathon so pace yourself! You can see the previous week’s featured bar exam resources on our July 1 , June 24 , June 17 , June 10 , June 3 , May 28 , and May 21 . Check out this week’s Bar Exam Resource highlights below on what to do two weeks before the bar exam.

Ameribar, It’s Two Weeks Before the Bar Exam. Help!

Shelley Awe, Bar Exam Tips for Two Weeks Out, Vault (Feb. 8, 2021)

Bar Exam Mind, Bar Exam Schedule: The Final Two Weeks

Bar Exam Toolbox, You Have Two Weeks of Bar Prep Remaining, Have You Completed This Checklist?

JD Advising, How to Make a Study Schedule the Last Two Weeks of Bar Exam Prep

Summer Legal Research Tips

Previously, we looked at:

Initial steps to take when you get a summer research project

Start by identifying the resources available to you at your place of summer employment and ask questions. Develop a research plan. Read more about developing a research plan on our Research Strategy & Documentation guide .

Secondary sources

Then you may need to do background research about your issue before jumping into primary sources such as statutes and case law. A good secondary source can explain the law around your issue and cite you to primary sources. It can save you a lot of time and effort! Learn more about researching in secondary sources in our Researching Secondary Sources Guide or watch our videos on finding and searching within the various secondary source types .

Researching statutes in annotated codes

If your issue is statutory, you want to use an annotated code. An annotated code is a great research tool because it offers editorial enhancements such as: (1) cross references to related statutes and regulations; (2) more detailed historical notes, secondary source references; (3) if it is a Thomson Reuters code you will get topic and key number references to help you find cases; and (3) the case annotations.

Statutory finding tools

Once in an annotated code, use the statutory finding tools like indexes, tables of contents, parallel reference tables, and the popular names table to find the statutory sections you need.

Updating and validating statutes

Update and validate your statutes by making sure that you are working with the most current version of a statute when researching a current issue and using Shepards and KeyCite to validate your statute and to identify any pending legislation that may impact your statute.

Historical and Superseded Codes

You can research historical codes using HeinOnline, Govinfo.gov, Bloomberg Law, Fastcase, Lexis, and Westlaw. You can also compare statutes on Lexis and Westlaw and be sure and always check the effective dates of statutes.

Statutory Surveys

Sometimes a researcher is asked to find statutes from multiple jurisdictions on a particular topic. Take advantage of compiled statutory surveys such as (1) Lexis and Westlaw 50-state surveys; (2) Subject Compilations of State Laws on HeinOnline ; (3) State Law Charts on Bloomberg Law and Smart Charts on VitalLaw ; and (4) National Conference of State Legislatures . Read more about statutory surveys in our 50-State Surveys Guide .

This week we will begin covering how to find cases.

Finding Cases by Headnote

Headnotes are summaries of the issues in a case. They are not actually part of the opinion. Each headnote is numbered. You can click on the headnote number and be taken to the place within the opinion where the issue of the headnote is discussed. Headnotes are tools that can be used for research but they are not part of the actual case itself. You should never cite to a headnote and always read the opinion and do not rely on the headnote.

Headnotes in Westlaw

Using westlaw topic and key numbers assigned to headnotes to find cases.

Each headnote in a case published in Westlaw is assigned a topic and key number. These topic and key numbers can be used to find more cases on the same subject. For example, if we had a headnote that was assigned the topic of Damages and the key number of 57.21 and we want to find more cases that talk about what is needed to prove a claim of Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress, we can use the topic of Damages and the key number of 57.21 and look online to find more cases that discuss this same thing. If you want to see the topic and key numbers in Westlaw headnotes, you may have to click the grid view link at the top of where the headnotes begin. The key number assigned to a particular headnote is always the last and narrowest key number assigned. Click on the link for the topic and key number and Westlaw will run a search and bring up all cases in their system that have been classified under that topic and key number. Note that you may need to change your jurisdiction for the search because the system keeps the last jurisdiction chosen.

Using Cases that Cite This Headnote

To find other cases that cite a particular headnote, click on the “Cases that cite this headnote” link located below the headnote summary of the point of law. Cases that cite a headnote consist of the citing references that specifically address that particular point of law in the case. Because cases may address many different issues, this can be a quick way to find the most relevant cases citing your case for the particular issue covered by that headnote.

Headnotes in Lexis

Using lexis topics assigned to headnotes to find cases.

Lexis headnotes are still organized by broad topics and then progressively subdivided by narrower subjects, but Lexis headnote subjects tend to be broader concepts than the Westlaw key numbers. Also, Lexis headnotes do not editorialize, they actually lift language straight from the text of the case. We can find more cases on a topic by clicking on the topic links assigned to the headnote. In Lexis, the topic links are above the headnote. If we want a broader search, we can use the topic intermediate levels, for example, we could search Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress rather than the specific Elements beneath that. A search on any intermediate level will bring up results for all the more specific levels below it.

Using More Like this Headnote to Find Cases

More Like This Headnote appears at the end of a headnote, and gives you the ability to find cases that have headnotes that closely match the language or meaning of a headnote in your case.

Using Shepardize – Narrow by this Headnote to Find Cases

To find more cases that discuss the same point of law, click “Shepardize – Narrow by this Headnote.” This will show you all cases that cite to this case that reference the same issue as that headnote.

Don’t forget that you can always find out more about researching cases in our Researching Cases Guide or watch our videos on finding cases.

July Is Disability Pride Month!

Disability Pride Flag. A black flag with a lightning bolt of blue, yellow, white, red, and green. Source: Ann Magill/Public Domain

About Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month is an annual worldwide observance holiday during the month of July. It promotes awareness of disability as an identity, a community, a culture & the positive pride felt by disabled people. It directly challenges systematic ableism and discrimination. President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law in 1990 and in July of that same year, the first Disability Pride Day was celebrated in Boston.

This month, the American Bar Association’s Commission on Disability Rights invites you to take part in the #BeCounted campaign . The #BeCounted campaign encourages lawyers with disabilities across the country to add themselves to the ABA’s U.S. map.

5 Resources to Learn More about Accessibility & Disability Issues

Disability rights are civil rights. From voting to parking, the ADA is a law that protects people with disabilities in many areas of public life. From answers to common questions to official legal documents, ADA.gov has everything you need to understand your rights and responsibilities under the ADA.

Disability History Museum

The Disability History Museum is a virtual project that aims to foster a deeper understanding about how changing cultural values, notions of identity, laws and policies have shaped and influenced the experience of people with disabilities, their families and their communities over time.

Library of Congress, Disability Law in the United States: A Beginner’s Guide

This research guide provides an overview of relevant laws and regulations related to disability rights. It provides resources from the federal government and non-profit organizations that work toward advancing the rights of people with disabilities. The guide is by no means exhaustive, however it offers a extensive guidance on resources for performing legal research on this subject, as well as information from leading advocates and government entities with missions to protect those with disabilities from discrimination.

Museum of disABILITY History (Virtual Museum)

The Museum of disABILITY History is dedicated to advancing the understanding, acceptance and independence of people with disabilities. The Museum's exhibits, collections, archives and educational programs create awareness and a platform for dialogue and discovery.

Smithsonian National Museum of American History, EveryBody: An Artifact History of Disability in America

People with disabilities have been present throughout American history, but rarely appear in textbooks or shared public memories. This online exhibition helps us understand the American experience and reveals how complicated history really is.

Posted on July 15, 2024 by Susan Boland

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How do states fill vacancies in the U.S. Senate? It depends on the state

This year, as in every even-numbered year, about a third of U.S. Senate seats are up for election. Given the 51-49 split in the Senate between Democrats and Republicans (including the four independents who caucus with Democrats), each of those races has the potential to tip the chamber’s balance of power. But elections aren’t the only way that can happen.

We compiled information on state procedures for filling U.S. Senate vacancies from each state’s online code of state law. Data on senators’ ages, party affiliation and length of service comes from the  Biographical Directory of the United States Congress .

All ages are calculated as of July 31, 2024. In the comparison of senators’ and governors’ party affiliations, the four independent senators are counted as Democrats, since they all caucus with the Senate Democrats.

Should a sitting senator resign, die or otherwise leave office during their term, governors in 45 states have the power to appoint a temporary replacement. In most of those states, governors have free rein to appoint whomever they wish, with the appointee serving until a successor is elected to fill out the rest of the term.

This has already happened twice during the current Congress. In January 2023, Republican Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska resigned to become president of the University of Florida. Nebraska’s GOP governor, Jim Pillen, appointed the state’s former governor , Pete Ricketts, to replace Sasse. (Ricketts is running in a special election this year to complete the rest of Sasse’s term, which ends in January 2027.)

And in September 2023, longtime Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a California Democrat, died at age 90. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Laphonza Butler to fill the vacancy. (Butler is not running for the remainder of Feinstein’s term or for the new term that begins in January 2025.)

A third senatorial appointment likely will come soon. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, who has been convicted of multiple federal corruption charges , has said he will resign his seat effective Aug. 20. Gov. Phil Murphy, a fellow Democrat, is expected to quickly appoint a successor to Menendez.

There may be another appointment, too. Should the Republican presidential ticket of Donald Trump and JD Vance win in November, GOP Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine would appoint someone to fill Vance’s Senate seat.

The possibility of appointed senators tipping the partisan balance – or at least giving an electoral advantage to one party or the other – is brought into sharper relief when one considers that this is the oldest Senate of any in U.S. history . The  mean  age of current U.S. senators, as of July 31, is 65.2. Almost a third of senators (31) are in their 70s, five are in their 80s, and one (Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley) will turn 91 in September.

One senator in the 80-plus club, Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin (age 80), is retiring at the end of his term this year. Two octogenarian independents – Bernie Sanders of Vermont (82) and Angus King of Maine (80) – are running for reelection. Iowa’s Grassley won his eighth term in 2022. The terms of the other two oldest senators – Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell (82) and Idaho’s Jim Risch (81) – don’t expire until 2027.

Senate replacement procedures vary by state

The current system for filling vacant Senate seats dates to the ratification of the 17th Amendment in 1913. Along with letting people elect their senators directly – state legislatures had chosen them up to that point – the amendment gave states the option of letting their governors appoint temporary replacements.

The only states  not  to do so are Kentucky, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin. In those states, vacancies can only be filled by special election. Kentucky is the latest to join this group, after its majority-Republican legislature took the appointment power away from Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear earlier this year.

Among the 45 states that do give their governors authority to name replacement senators, 11 limit their field of choice in some way. Six states – Hawaii, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming – make the governor choose from a list of three nominees submitted by the previous senator’s party. Utah requires the same kind of list, but from the state legislature. Arizona, Nevada and Oklahoma simply require the governor to choose someone from the previous senator’s party.

Connecticut has the most restrictive rules: The governor can fill a Senate vacancy only if there’s a year or less remaining in the term, and their choice must be approved by a two-thirds vote in each house of the state legislature.

One reason for such limitations is to prevent a governor from appointing someone of their own party to a Senate seat formerly held by the other party. In 2013, for instance, New Jersey’s then-Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, appointed state Attorney General and fellow Republican Jeffrey Chiesa to the seat that had been held by the late Frank Lautenberg, a Democrat. Chiesa served for just under five months, until Democrat Cory Booker won the special election for the rest of Lautenberg’s term.

Currently, 13 of 50 governors belong to a different party than at least one of their state’s senators. But only seven of those 13 would be able to do what Christie did in New Jersey. The others either can’t appoint temporary senators at all or are required to choose someone of the same party as the former senator.

The 17th Amendment also gives states considerable leeway in deciding how long temporary senators can serve until a special election. In 31 states, special Senate elections are held concurrently with regular general elections. In some cases, those special elections coincide with the next scheduled general election, but in other cases – especially if the vacancy occurs late in the election cycle – they coincide with the general election  after  the next one.

Six states have specific timetables for holding special Senate elections, usually a certain number of days following the start of the vacancy. Nine states either set a separate date for the special election or hold it concurrently with the next general election, depending on when the vacancy occurs. And four states have few or no rules on when a special election must be held, effectively leaving the decision up to the governor.

Note: This is an update of a post first published May 3, 2022.

• State & Local Government

Drew DeSilver is a senior writer at Pew Research Center .

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