LibGuides: Bankruptcy Law: Quick Start

INTRODUCTION

This guide contains a selection of recommended resources for locating relevant primary and secondary authority useful for bankruptcy law research.

FREQUENTLY USED SOURCES

Print and online resources

Collier on Bankruptcy (Lexis+)
16th ed. / Alan N. Resnick, Henry J. Sommer, editors-in chief. (LexisNexis, 2009-).
Print edition available at KF1524 .C62 (Law Library Stacks).
Bankruptcy Practice Center (Bloomberg Law)
Bankruptcy Law Practice Center (Lexis+)
United States Code Annotated (Westlaw)
Print version located at KF 62 1927 W47 (East Reading Room).
United States Code Service (Lexis+)
Print version located at KF 62 1972 U5 (East Reading Room).
Bankruptcy Cases (Westlaw)

Free online resources

U.S. Bankruptcy Code (Cornell LII)
Google Scholar
Click the "Case Law" button, then the "Select courts..." link to specify particular jurisdictions.

Glossaries and Dictionaries

Bankruptcy practitioners and scholars may use words and terms unique to this practice area. Use these resources as a starting place for unfamiliar terminology.

Bankruptcy Basics Glossary
A resource from the U.S. Courts that is likely to cover some of the terms researchers will encounter in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
"Hooray for Gibberish - A Glossary of Bankrupcty Slang for the Occasional Practitioner or Bewildered Judge"
A light-hearted law review article that explains many terms that are heavily used in case law, but yet have no official definitions, such as "absolute priority," "cramdown," and "lien-stripping."
The Book of Jargon® - Global Restructuring
A glossary published by the law firm Latham & Watkins that also contains many terms used in international insolvency.

STEPS OF BANKRUPTCY RESEARCH

Legal research steps

When you first begin researching a bankruptcy law issue, consider following these initial research steps:

Define the issue, including looking up any terms you do not understand, asking clarifying questions (check our list of Bankuruptcy Glossaries and Dictionaries above), and creating a list of searchable terms and concepts
Determine the jurisdiction
Consult topical treatises and practice guides
Identify relevant statutes, bankruptcy rules, civil rules, or local rules, and review them carefully
Conduct case law research
Update your research
Repeat the steps as necessary

Bankruptcy Law

Important Note About Access to Databases

Be sure to read the Access to Databases Guide carefully before beginning your research.

Librarian

INTRODUCTION

FREQUENTLY USED SOURCES

STEPS OF BANKRUPTCY RESEARCH