Secondary resources basically either describe what the author thinks the law is, or ought to be; they are commentary and analysis. They are used to help you find and understand existing law, or give you ideas for good arguments to persuade a court. They are not binding on a court.
Five uses for Secondary Sources:
- They can provide helpful background about an issue and give you an understanding of how your research fits into the larger context.
- They usually lead to discovery of primary authorities.
- They can sometimes be persuasive.
- They can help you develop and refine your search terms.
- If you reach dead-ends in your research, consulting secondary sources may help you re-focus your research and analysis.
