Legal research

The methods and procedures of research in legal matters, such as the regulations, and different approaches to analyses and source gathering, and the knowledge on how to adapt the research methodology to a specific case to obtain the required information.

judicial analysis
judicial investigations
legal investigations
legal analysis
legal probing
judicial probing
legal inquiries
judicial inquiries

knowledge

cross-sector

Legal research is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Court clerk: Court clerks provide assistance to judges in a court institution. They handle enquiries on court proceedings, and assist judges in various tasks such as performing legal research in preparation of cases or writing opinion pieces. They also contact parties involved in cases and brief judges and other court officials.
Lawyer linguist: Lawyer linguists interpret and translate legal pieces from one language to another. They provide legal analysis to the information before them and help in understanding technicalities of the content expressed in other languages.
Legal policy officer: Legal affairs policy officers research, analyse and develop policies related to the legal sector and implement these policies to improve the existing regulation around the sector. They work closely with partners, external organisations or other stakeholders and provide them with regular updates.
Legislative drafter: Legislative drafters research pieces of legislations and edit them in order to make them stronger and more clear. Rarely they also add new ideas which have never been incorporated into a law or a bill before.
Legal assistant:
Legal assistants work closely together with lawyers and legal representatives in the research and preparation of cases brought to courts. They assist in the paper work of cases and management of the administrative side of court affairs.
Conveyance clerk: Conveyance clerks provide services for the legal transference of legal titles and properties from one party to another. They exchange the necessary contracts and ensure all properties, titles and rights are transfered.
Prosecutor: Prosecutors represent governmental bodies and the general public in court cases against parties accused of illegal activity. They investigate the court cases by examining evidence, interviewing involved parties, and interpreting the law. They use the results of their investigation in order to present the case during court hearings, and to construct persuasive arguments in order to ensure the outcome is the most favourable for the parties they represent.
Court enforcement officer: Court enforcement officers enforce orders of court judgements such as managing the recovery of money owed, seizing of goods, and selling goods in public auctions to obtain the money owed. They also send summons and arrest warrants to ensure attendance in court or other judicial procedures.
Case administrator: Case administrators supervise the progress of criminal and civil cases from the point of opening to closing. They review the case files and case progression to ensure proceedings occur compliant with legislation. They also ensure the proceedings occur in a timely manner and that everything has been concluded before closing cases.
Corporate lawyer: Corporate lawyers provide legal consulting services and representation to corporations and organisations. They give advice on matters relating to taxes, legal rights and patents, international trade, trademarks, and legal financial issues arising from operating a business.

Legal research is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Legal administrative assistant:
Legal administrative assistants carry out the daily administrative activities of firms, offices of notaries public, and companies. They perform activities such as writing mails, phone-answering and typing/keyboarding. They combine these activities with specific knowledge and understanding of the procedures and codes managed in legal business affairs.
Criminologist: Criminologists study conditions pertaining to humans such as the social and psychological aspects that could lead them to commit criminal acts. They observe and analyse different factors ranging from behavioural conditions up to social background and environment of suspects in order to advise organisations on the prevention of crime.
Judge: Judges preside over, review and handle court cases, hearings, appeals and trials. They ensure that court procedures conform to conventional legal processes and review evidence and juries. Judges preside over cases involving such areas as crime, family issues, civil law, small claims and juvenile offenses.
Legal consultant: Legal consultants advise a varied array of clients ranging from business, individuals, up to legal firms. They provide legal advisory outside courtrooms in relation to legal affairs which depend on the nature of the client. They advise in matters such as merging of multinationals, housing purchase, modification of contracts and its implications. They help clients in general to abide by the regulations and avoid committing illegal acts.
Supreme court judge: Supreme court judges preside in high courts, dealing with complex criminal and civil cases. They examine the case during trials in order to formulate a sentence or to direct a jury in reaching a conclusion, and decide on any punishments if an offending party is found guilty. They rule proceedings and ensure the trial is held in a fair manner compliant with legislation.
Police detective: Police detectives gather and compile evidence which assists them in the solution of crimes. They use investigative techniques to gather evidence, and interview all parties connected to their line of enquiry, and cooperate with other police department divisions to gather the evidence.
Court administrator: Court administrators perform managerial tasks in a court institution, such as supervision of staff, administration, communicating with judges and reviewing procedures. They also manage the court’s finances, and oversee maintenance of the facility and equipment.
Mediator:
Mediators resolve disputes between two parties by examining the case, interviewing both parties, and advising on a solution which would be the most beneficial for them. They listen to both parties in order to facilitate communication and find a fair agreement and organise meetings. They aim at resolving disputes through dialogue and alternative solution without having to take the case to litigation and courts. Mediators ensure that the resolution is compliant with legal regulations and is also enforced.
Social security officer: Social security officers advise clients on social security benefits and ensure they claim the benefits they are eligible for, as well as providing advice on promotions and other available support services such as employment benefits. They aid clients in applications for benefits such as sickness, maternity, pensions, invalidity, unemployment and family benefits. They investigate the client’s right to benefits by reviewing their case and researching legislation and the claim, and suggest an appropriate course of action. Social security advisers also determine the aspects of a specific benefit.
Intellectual property consultant: Intellectual property consultants provide advice on the usage of intellectual property assests such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks. They help clients to value, in monetary terms, intellectual property portfolios, to follow adequate legal procedures for protecting of such property, and to perform patent brokerage activities.
Pensions administrator: Pensions administrators perform administrative duties in the management of pension schemes, ensuring the correct calculation of client’s pension benefits, compliance with legal requirements, drafting reports and communicating relevant information to customers. They work either in the private or the public sector.
Probation officer: Probation officers supervise offenders after their release, or who were sentenced to penalties outside of incarceration. They write reports providing advice on the offender’s sentence and analysis concerning possibilities of reoffense. They aid the offenders during the rehabilitation and reintegration process and ensure the offenders carry out their community service sentence when necessary.
Court jury coordinator: Court jury coordinators aid lawyers in the preparation of the trial by researching jury members. They aid in the development of trial strategies, analyse the jury’s behaviour during a trial, and advise lawyers on proceedings. They also assist in preparing witnesses and constructing arguments.
Financial risk analyst: Financial risk analysts correctly identify and review potential risk areas threatening the assets or capital of organisations. They specialise in either credit, market, operational or regulatory risk analysis. They use statistical analysis to evaluate risk, make recommendations to reduce and control risk and review documentation for legal compliance.
Lawyer: Lawyers provide legal advice to clients and act on their behalf in legal proceedings and in compliance with the law. They research for, interpret and study cases to represent their clients in a variety of settings such as courts and administrative boards. They create arguments on behalf of their clients for lawsuits in different contexts with the aim of finding a legal remedy.
Public affairs consultant: Public affairs consultants function as representatives for a client’s goal. They attempt to persuade legislative bodies and policy makers to implement laws or regulation in accordance with the client’s wishes, and negotiate with parties with potentially conflicting interests. They perform analytical and research duties in order to ensure that the client’s cause is being addressed in an appropriate way to the appropriate parties. They also consult their clients on their causes and policies.
Cartographer: Cartographers create maps by combining various scientific informations depending of the purpose of the map (e.g. topographic, urban, or political maps). They combine the interpretation of mathematical notes and measurements with the aesthetics and visual depiction of the site for developing the maps. They may also work on developing and improving geographic information systems and may perform scientific research within cartography.
Consumer rights advisor: Consumer rights advisors aid consumers with complaints and provide advice and information on rights as a consumer after purchase of products or services. They monitor organisations to ensure compliance to consumer rights standards, and aid consumers in handling disputes.
Pension scheme manager: Pension scheme managers coordinate pension schemes in order to provide benefits in retirement to individuals or organisations. They ensure the daily deployment of the pension fund and define the strategic policy for developing new pension packages.
Social security administrator: Social security administrators direct and develop government-provided social security programmes in order to aid public welfare, as well as promote social security programmes. They supervise staff working in governmental social security, and investigate existing policies in order to assess issues and develop improvement proposals.
Notary: Notaries ensure the authenticity and legitimacy of official documents such as declarations, certificates, contracts, deeds and purchases. They examine the documents, witness the signing and authenticate them. They administer oaths and affirmations and perform other acts of notarisation.
Patent engineer: Patent engineers advise companies on different aspects of intellectual property law. They analyse inventions, and research their economic potential. They check if  patent rights have already been given out for an invention and ensure that these rights have not been affected or violated.
Fire commissioner: Fire commissioners oversee the activity of the fire department making sure the services supplied are effective and the necessary equipment is provided. They develop and manage the business policies ensuring the legislation in the field is followed. Fire commissioners perform safety inspections and promotes fire prevention education.
Human resources manager: Human resources managers plan, design and implement processes related to the human capital of companies. They develop programs for recruiting, interviewing, and selecting employees based on a previous assessment of the profile and skills required in the company. Moreover, they manage compensation and development programs for the company’s employees comprising trainings, skill assessment and yearly evaluations, promotion, expat programs, and general assurance of the well-being of the employees in the workplace.
Justice of the peace: Justices of the peace deal with small claims and disputes, and minor offences. They ensure the keeping of the peace within their jurisdiction, and provide mediation between disputing parties.

References

1. Legal research – ESCO