17 October

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Legal Research and the Use of Source Materials: Essential Skills for Law Students

Legal research stands as the foundation of effective legal practice. When lawyers face a legal problem, they must systematically investigate both facts and law to determine the rights, duties, and liabilities of the parties involved. This process of seeking recorded information to arrive at authoritative legal conclusions is essential for every legal practitioner.[^1] As King George II reportedly observed, "Lawyers do not know much more law than other people, but they know better where to find it." This insight captures a fundamental truth: success in legal practice depends not just on memorized knowledge, but on knowing how to efficiently locate and...

17 October

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Sources of Law in Nigeria: A Comprehensive Guide for Law Students

Posted by Kolawole Adebowale

in 100 Level, Class Notes, Legal Method

Understanding the sources of Nigerian law is fundamental to legal education and practice. As a law student or legal practitioner, knowing where to find applicable law is as important as understanding its content. This blog post explores the wellsprings from which Nigerian legal principles, rules, and doctrines flow. Introduction to Legal Sources Every legal system draws its authority from certain recognized sources. These sources not only validate legal rules but also provide the framework for their interpretation and application. As explained in our overview of the Nigerian legal system, law serves multiple functions in society, including the maintenance of order and the...

17 October

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Legal Reasoning in Legislation: Understanding How Laws Are Created and Interpreted

Posted by Kolawole Adebowale

in 100 Level, Class Notes, Legal Method

Legislation represents one of the most important sources of law in the modern state. Unlike judge-made law (case law), which evolves gradually through court decisions, legislation emerges from a deliberate process of law-making by designated bodies. Understanding the dynamics of legislative reasoning—how laws are created, structured, and interpreted—is crucial for any law student or legal practitioner. This post examines the rationale behind new legislation, the techniques of legislative drafting, the challenges of statutory language, and how courts approach the interpretation of legislative texts. While these concepts might initially seem abstract, they form the foundation of how laws function in society. Reasons for...

17 October

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Legal Reasoning in Judicial Process

Posted by Kolawole Adebowale

in 100 Level, Class Notes, Legal Method

Judicial decision-making is one of the most consequential exercises of legal reasoning. The way judges analyze facts, interpret law, and arrive at conclusions affects not only the parties before them but also shapes the development of the law itself. Let's explore how legal reasoning functions in the judicial process. Introduction Legal reasoning in judicial process refers to the careful thinking employed by judicial officers when resolving legal issues presented by parties in court. As ministers in the temple of justice, both lawyers and judges must tailor their legal reasoning toward ensuring justice for all parties. The judiciary—the branch of government invested with judicial...

17 October

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Legal Reasoning and Approach to Problems

Posted by Kolawole Adebowale

in 100 Level, Class Notes, Legal Method, Nigerian Legal System

Law students often notice that lawyers think differently—they analyze issues with precision, identify key facts, and formulate arguments in distinctive ways. This approach, known as "legal reasoning," is a fundamental skill for legal professionals. Let's explore how lawyers reason and approach legal problems. Introduction to Legal Reasoning Legal reasoning, in its simplest form, is systematic, logical, coordinated, and persuasive thinking about law-related issues. It involves analyzing facts, identifying applicable legal principles, and drawing conclusions about rights, duties, and liabilities. Why is legal reasoning distinctive? The discipline of law is peculiar and multi-perspective in nature. Lawyers are often perceived as inquisitive, argumentative, and using...

17 October

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Methods of Social Control through Law

Posted by Kolawole Adebowale

in 100 Level, Class Notes, Legal Method

Law represents one of society's most formalized systems for maintaining order and regulating human behavior. While not the only mechanism societies use to ensure conformity, law stands distinct in its systematic application of state-sanctioned authority. Understanding how law functions as an instrument of social control is fundamental to appreciating its role in modern society. What is Social Control? The concept of "social control" originated in sociology but has been embraced by legal theorists in their examination of law's function. Social control refers to the various mechanisms through which a society exercises authority over its members and enforces conformity to its norms.¹ Edward A....

17 October

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Aspects of Law: Understanding Legal Classifications and Types

Posted by Kolawole Adebowale

in 100 Level, Class Notes, Legal Method

Understanding the different types and classifications of law is essential for any law student. Just as a botanist must understand how plants are categorized, a lawyer must grasp the various ways law is organized and classified. This knowledge provides a framework for legal reasoning and helps determine which laws apply to specific situations. Types of Law Law can be classified into various categories based on different criteria. Let's begin by examining some fundamental types of law. Eternal Law The concept of eternal law refers to laws that are constant, everlasting, and universal. St. Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274) defined eternal law as "the exemplar of divine...

17 October

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Law in Social Context: Understanding the Nature, Functions, and Objectives of Law

Posted by Kolawole Adebowale

in 100 Level, Class Notes, Legal Method, Nigerian Legal System

Law is not an abstract concept existing in isolation. Rather, it operates within a social framework, reflecting and shaping the society it serves. For first-year law students, understanding this relationship between law and society provides essential context for your legal education and future practice. What is Legal Method? Before diving into the social context of law, let's clarify what we mean by "legal method." The phrase comprises two words: 'legal' and 'method.' In ordinary language, "method" refers to a way of doing something or a planned and organized approach.¹ "Legal," as an adjective, denotes something connected with law. Legal method, therefore, can be...

10 October

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Hohfeldian Legal Concepts: Understanding Rights and Duties

Posted by Kolawole Adebowale

in 500 Level, Class Notes, Educational Articles, Exam Preparation, Jurisprudence, Legal Terminology, Study Resources, Study Tips

Why This Matters Concepts play a significant role in the legal process. Most legal rules and principles are explained in terms of juridical concepts, prominently among which are the concepts of rights and duties.[1] As Ronald Dworkin observed: "Lawyers lean heavily on the connected concepts of legal right and legal obligation. We say that someone has a legal right or duty, and we take that statement as a sound basis for making claims and demands, and for criticizing the acts of public officials. But our understanding of these concepts is remarkably fragile, and we fall into trouble when we try to...

10 October

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Case Law and Precedent: How Courts Make Law

Posted by Kolawole Adebowale

in 500 Level, Class Notes, Exam Preparation, Jurisprudence, Study Resources, Study Tips

Understanding Precedent Precedent is an ancient concept. It involves laying down general principles for the future. When judges in higher courts give reasons for the legal rules they apply, these reasons become authoritative statements of law that later judges must follow as precedents.[1] This rule applies equally to decisions about statute interpretation, making precedent perhaps more important than statute itself, since judges determine what statutes mean. Prerequisites for Precedent to Work Two things must exist for precedent to operate effectively: First, a well-established judicial hierarchy. Second, reliable reports of decided cases.[2] Law reports provide authoritative legal statements. The rule is simple: courts lower...

Author: Kolawole Adebowale