Can a Secondary Source Ever be Binding?

Can a secondary source ever be binding?
Unlike primary legal sources, secondary sources are generally not binding on courts (for an exception see Restatements, below). You may cite secondary sources in a memorandum or article when you wish to provide the reader with a more in-depth explanation of a topic.
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We are instructed to heavily rely on main legal sources, such as statutes, regulations, and case law, as legal practitioners and students. However, secondary materials like treatises, encyclopedias, and articles from law journals can also be helpful in conducting legal research. Is a secondary source ever legally binding, though?

The quick response is no. The same manner that primary sources are authoritative, secondary sources are not. When making a decision, a court must abide by binding authority. Due to their creation by a governing body, such as the legislature or a court, and the fact that they have the same force as law, primary sources of law, such as legislation and case law, are regarded as binding authorities.

On the other hand, secondary sources are not produced by a governing body and do not have legal authority. They are published by publishers, practitioners, and legal academics with the goal of offering advice and insight on legal matters. They are not binding authority and are not required to be obeyed by a court, despite the fact that they can be persuasive authority, which means they can be used to support an argument.

Who then creates ALR? Legal encyclopedias in the American Law Reports (ALR) series offer in-depth study and discussion on legal topics. Legal academics and practitioners with experience in a particular field of law write the papers for ALR. Each article contains a thorough summary of the topic, references to pertinent primary legal sources, analysis of the topic, and discussion.

Which two primary legal encyclopedias exist? The American Jurisprudence (AmJur) and Corpus Juris Secundum (CJS) are the two most important legal encyclopedias in the United States. Similar to ALR, AmJur and CJS offer in-depth study and opinion on legal matters. They are written by legal professionals and academics and serve to explain and analyze legal matters.

Is a statute a secondary source, too? No, a statute is regarded as a primary source of law because it is made by a legislative body and has legal authority. When a court decides a case, it must adhere to statutes since they are regarded as binding authority.

Therefore, how are restatement made? The American Law Institute (ALI), a private association of legal academics, judges, and practitioners, produces restatements. Restatements are designed to give insight on legal matters but are not binding authority. They are developed by a group of specialists who look over current statutes and case law and offer analysis and discussion on the subject. Restatements are regarded as a great resource in legal research and are frequently acknowledged by courts as persuading authority.

In conclusion, even though secondary sources are not legally binding, they can nevertheless be effective research tools. Legal encyclopedias that offer in-depth research and discussion on legal topics, including ALR, AmJur, and CJS, might be utilized to back up a claim. Restatements are a useful tool in legal research even when they are not conclusive. It’s critical to recognize the differences between primary and secondary legal sources and know how to use each effectively when conducting legal research.

FAQ
How are Restatements adopted?

The American Law Institute (ALI), a respected association of legal academics, judges, and practitioners, adopts restatements of the law. The Restatements are drafted and approved by the ALI before being published and made available to the legal community. Restatements are not legally binding, but they frequently have a strong impact on how the law is developed.

People also ask what are financial restatements?

Financial restatements are the act of amending previously published financial statements because the original financial statements contained mistakes or omissions. The financial statements are restated to make sure they accurately depict the company’s financial status and performance. Companies frequently publish restatements after finding mistakes or omissions in their financial accounts. On a company’s financial performance, reputation, and legal responsibilities, restatements can have a big influence.

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