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Statutory Law Research Checklist
Identify the Legal Issue
Determine the specific legal issue or question that needs to be researched.
Clarify the jurisdiction(s) relevant to the issue, whether federal, state, or local.
Identify any relevant procedural posture or facts that could affect the statutory interpretation.
Locate Relevant Statutes
Use an annotated code or a statutory compilation to find the primary statute(s) governing the issue.
Check for any recent legislation that may have amended or repealed the relevant statute(s).
Locate related statutes that may be in different chapters or titles of the code.
Analyze the Statutory Language
Read the full text of the statute(s), noting the structure, definitions, and operative language.
Consider the plain meaning of the statutory language and any terms of art.
Examine the statute's context, including sections immediately preceding or following the relevant part.
Review Legislative History
Look for reports, such as committee reports, that may provide insight into the legislature's intent.
Search for transcripts of legislative debates, hearings, or other relevant legislative proceedings.
Review previous versions of the statute and any amendments to understand the development of the law.
Consult Secondary Sources
Refer to legal encyclopedias, treatises, law review articles, and practice guides for commentary and analysis.
Check legal databases for annotations, case notes, or cross-references to relevant case law.
Identify any relevant legal principles or doctrines discussed in secondary sources that may guide interpretation.
Update the Research
Use a citator service to ensure that the statutes and secondary sources are current and have not been overturned or negatively treated.
Check for pending legislation that might affect the legal issue.
Review recent case law that may have interpreted or applied the statute.
Confirm Compliance and Application
Ensure that the statutory law is applied correctly in the jurisdiction of the case.
Verify that the statute has been complied with in past decisions or administrative practices.
Consider whether the statute has been challenged on constitutional or other grounds and the outcomes of such challenges.
