Corpus Juris Secundum (C.J.S.)

Definition

Corpus Juris Secundum, commonly referred to as C.J.S., is a comprehensive legal encyclopedia that serves as a secondary source of law in the United States. It provides detailed explanations of legal principles, case law, and statutory law across various jurisdictions, making it an essential resource for legal research and writing. This encyclopedic collection is organized by subject matter, allowing users to efficiently locate relevant legal information.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. C.J.S. was first published in 1936 and has since become a widely used legal reference tool for practitioners and scholars.
2. It covers a wide range of topics including torts, contracts, criminal law, and more, providing summaries of case law and citations for further research.
3. C.J.S. is organized into volumes by subject matter, each containing sections that discuss relevant laws and cases in detail.
4. The information in C.J.S. is updated regularly to reflect changes in the law, ensuring that users have access to the most current legal standards.
5. C.J.S. is often cited in legal documents and opinions as a reliable source of information on legal principles.

Review Questions

• How does Corpus Juris Secundum serve as a valuable resource for understanding complex areas of law?
  • Corpus Juris Secundum serves as a valuable resource by summarizing complex legal principles and providing extensive explanations on various topics across multiple jurisdictions. This allows users to grasp fundamental concepts without having to sift through numerous cases or statutes. Additionally, C.J.S. cites relevant case law and statutes, making it easier for researchers to find primary sources related to their inquiries.
• What role do secondary sources like C.J.S. play in the context of legal research compared to primary sources of law?
  • Secondary sources like C.J.S. provide analysis, commentary, and interpretation of the law that help clarify complex legal issues presented in primary sources. While primary sources constitute the binding law itself—such as statutes or court rulings—C.J.S. offers context and guidance on how these laws have been applied and interpreted in practice. This dual approach enhances legal understanding and supports more informed decision-making.
• Evaluate the impact of using Corpus Juris Secundum on the accuracy and efficiency of legal research in contemporary practice.
  • Utilizing Corpus Juris Secundum significantly enhances both the accuracy and efficiency of legal research by providing comprehensive summaries of legal doctrines alongside citations to primary sources. This allows practitioners to quickly find relevant information without needing to independently analyze every case or statute from scratch. Moreover, by ensuring that users are referencing up-to-date legal interpretations and principles, C.J.S. contributes to the overall reliability of legal arguments presented in court or other legal settings.

Related terms

Legal Encyclopedia: A reference work that compiles legal principles, concepts, and rules across various areas of law, providing an overview of legal topics and citing relevant case law and statutes.

Primary Sources of Law: The authoritative documents that establish the law, including constitutions, statutes, regulations, and case law that are binding in a jurisdiction.

Westlaw: An online legal research service and proprietary database for lawyers and legal professionals in the United States, providing access to legal resources including cases, statutes, and secondary sources like C.J.S.