Legal treatises are one of the most detailed and scholarly forms of secondary sources. They provide an in-depth analysis and comprehensive coverage of a specific area of law.
Treatises are scholarly works that offer a detailed examination of legal topics. They are usually multi-volume and are often written by renowned legal scholars or practitioners who have dedicated their careers to the specific area of law the treatise covers. An example of a well-known treatise is Corbin on Contracts, which is an authoritative source on the American law of contracts.
Treatises play a pivotal role in legal research. They provide a broad and deep understanding of legal subjects, helping to explain complex concepts, identify key cases and statutes, and present arguments and perspectives on contentious legal issues. For law students, treatises are an excellent resource for getting to grips with new areas of law. For legal practitioners, they can offer valuable insights and depth of analysis that can be used in the formulation of legal arguments. In essence, treatises are like detailed roadmaps guiding you through specific areas of the legal landscape.
Legal treatises are widely available in law libraries and through many legal databases, such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law. When using a treatise, it's best to start with the table of contents or index to navigate to the specific issue you're researching. Then, read the relevant sections for a comprehensive understanding of the topic. Remember to check the footnotes or endnotes, as they often provide references to primary sources and other relevant secondary sources.