Familarize yourself with the McClay Library
As a student, the library should be your best friend! Law and Official Publications can be found on Floor 2 – have a look around the shelves to get used to the shelf mark system and see what you can find!
Try using the Library’s online portal
You can access the library’s resources off-campus too! Just navigate to the QUB library profile by googling “QUB Library.” Any research databases will require you to login by using your QUB username (student number) and password.
Contact your Law Librarian for help
Book an appointment with the law librarian (Dr. Deborah Wilson deborah.wilson@qub.ac.uk) – she is extremely helpful and an invaluable source of useful knowledge for all students.
Research Databases
You will need to be able to access various research databases (through the Queen’s Library portal) in order to find reading materials. The most useful research databases for law students are Westlaw, LexisNexis and HeinOnline. Practice navigating your way around these databases and get used to their different interfaces. Book an appointment with your Law Librarian or SSA if you’re finding it difficult!
Types of Sources…
Legislation
Legislation and case law are what’s known as primary sources – i.e. this is where the law is actually found. Most present day legislation can be found via a google search which will take you to www.legislation.gov.uk. Try and reading a whole statute in full – this will help you get used to the way UK legislation tends to be structured.
Cases
Cases are mainly found on Westlaw although in some circumstances, for example, NI case law, you might find the British and Irish Legal Information Institute (BAILII) to be helpful. Westlaw helpfully supplies summaries of cases alongside relevant journal articles that might be of interest. You can also apply for a certification in using Westlaw: Westlaw Certification – Basic Part 1 (Introduction) (thomsonreuters.com)
Books (and e-books)
Books, journal articles, chapters in edited collections, newspapers, podcasts etc. are all examples of secondary sources. They are used to inform and back up your arguments and are more commonly used in essay assignments rather than in answers to problem questions. Remember to look for reputable books written by leading academics – remember that textbooks are there primarily to help you understand the law but not necessarily for you to quote from.
Many books are now held by the library in e-book form. Depending on the website provider, you may be able to virtually ‘check out’ these titles to read online for a limited period or to download. Often, specific chapters of an e-book can be downloaded as a pdf and printed.
Journal articles
Journal articles are important critical sources that should be utilised in essay assignments to inform and back up your arguments. Once again, the QUB library portal should be your first port of call for these. You may find it helpful to familiarize yourself with respected and leading law journals and have a look through previous issues of various journals. Journal articles can usually be downloaded as pdfs.
Key Point: always remember to find reputable academic sources! Sources such as Wikipedia, elawresources, swarb.co.uk and Law Teacher are most definitely not allowed in an academic context!