lawbook

A lawbook is a publication that compiles legal materials for reference, study, or practice. Depending on jurisdiction and purpose, lawbooks may organize statutes, regulations, case law, or scholarly commentary. They serve as primary or secondary sources in legal research.

Common types include statutory codes and acts, which arrange the written law in a structured form; case reporters and digests, which publish and summarize judicial decisions; legal dictionaries that define terms; and treatises that analyze and interpret legal doctrines.

In civil law systems, lawmakers' codes often serve as authoritative sources and are updated periodically. In common law systems, reporters of court decisions provide the primary record of law, with digests aiding navigation of case law. Lawbooks may mix primary materials with commentary to aid interpretation and application.

Lawbooks distinguish between primary sources (statutes, regulations, decisions) and secondary sources (commentaries and analysis). They may be national, regional, or specialized (for example, tax or corporate law). They are designed to be navigable and authoritative references for professionals and students.

Lawbooks require regular updates to reflect amendments, new cases, and regulatory changes. Editions may be issued in print or digital form, and many libraries and firms rely on online databases for current law. Used by practitioners, researchers, and students, lawbooks support legal research, argument preparation, and compliance.