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Preparing a research proposal

To apply to undertake a higher degree by research (HDR) course at Monash Law School, a research proposal is compulsory.

A research proposal is required when  prospective HDR applicants submit their expression of interest for preliminary assessment by the Faculty and when they are invited to submit their formal application to the Monash University Institute of Graduate Research.

Structure of your research proposal

The statement of your research proposal should be:

1. a short descriptive title of the project. (This does not have to be exactly the same as the title eventually given to the thesis.)

2. a statement of the broad goal or goals of the project (ie. the general ideas) to be explored/discussed.

3. a statement of particular objectives and tasks to be undertaken. This may take the form of a statement of issues and/or matters to be investigated. The statement should indicate the directions the project will take.

4. a statement indicating why you think the project is worth undertaking. (This statement might include reference to existing literature on the subject and an explanation of why you think it is deficient.)

See a good example of a research proposal (PDF, 0.09 MB) .

For more information on formulating and writing your research proposal:

Terry C. M. Hutchinson, Researching and Writing in Law (4 th ed, Lawbook Co, Pyrmont, 2018).

Chap 7: Formulating a research topic

Chap 8: Refining the Topic and Writing the Research Proposal

230 Law Research Paper Topics to Write About

230 Law Research Paper Topics to Write About

Table of contents

When it comes to legal topics for research papers, students have plenty of options. Whether you're interested in exploring issues related to criminal, corporate, or constitutional law, there are many topics from which you can choose. The first step is the selection of a subject that you find exciting and engaging. This part will provide the foundation for excellent law research paper topics. Students need to understand law topics they can work on by exploring what a perfect legal research topic covers. In this article by our research paper writing service , we provide engaging, easy, unique, and trending legal topics to help you choose one which fits your interests. We have also classified different legal topics into their respective branches: business, banking, finance, civil rights, constitutional, corporate, criminal, international, education, immigration, entertainment, employment, family, environmental and animal laws. This post will act as a stepping stone to writing a successful paper in any of these legal fields. Let us begin by understanding legal research paper topics.

What Are Legal Research Paper Topics

Legal research paper topics focus on analyzing and interpreting laws and their historical development. The papers will look into legal issues, including constitutional, criminal, civil rights, labor, international, and environmental laws. These topics can provide an exciting and essential lens through which you can analyze and discuss various policies. Such knowledge is crucial in helping students identify changes that a country has gone through over time, develop an understanding of the legal system, and build solid arguments on legal issues. You will need to identify how to select a topic for your paper, which is why our professional paper writers suggest searching for legal topics for research paper thoroughly before you begin writing.

What Makes a Good Legal Research Topic?

Good law research paper topics can be framed around a legal issue, case study, or legislative development. You want to select an excellent legal research topic that meets the following criteria:

How to Choose Topics in Law?

In the process of selecting law topics , it is essential to consider a personal purpose for which you are writing. For example, are you looking to inform, explore, or argue a position? Once you have identified the goal, you can choose an appropriate topic more easily.

Step 1:  Start familiarizing yourself with relevant acts and legislations as well as legal concepts through internet and library research. This will help you narrow your focus while identifying a potential topic.

Step 2:  Do extensive research to determine current legal issues related to your topic. Use various sources such as books, newspapers, magazines, websites, databases, etc.

Step 3:  Make sure you select an area or concept that is manageable in scope and has enough resources for your intended project.

Step 4:  Think of how you can make your topic more exciting or unique. Questions that should be considered include "What point of view could I take?" or "How can I approach the topic differently?"

Step 5:  Brainstorm and develop a list of possible law research topics to choose from. Once you have identified several potential issues, evaluate them based on your research to determine which topic you should select.

Properly following these steps, you can find a good law research paper topic that is interesting and relevant to the specific field. In case you require expert assistance with the writing process upon topic selection, feel free to approach our academic writing service. Our writers are well-versed in different fields, including law, and can produce outstanding studies upon ‘ write my research paper for me ’ request.

Law Research Paper Topics

Law project topics allow students to choose from matters related to legal issues. These topics are often comprehensive in scope and require extensive research for the student to make a convincing argument in their papers. Look at this list of potential law research paper topics that students can use to write their essays:

Interesting Legal Topics

Different students have different interests, and legal topics are no exception. Your own ideas can be an excellent starting point for you to decide which path to take for the research. Below are some interesting law topics we have written for you to choose from:

Trending Legal Topics

Today, with changes in laws, technology, and other factors altering the legal aspect of everyday life, we find a significant number of trends that affect legal decisions. Students are looking for great topic ideas for law research paper that will help them connect their essays to everyday changes and attain a good grade. Whether it's a recent legal issue or an emerging topic law, there is plenty of material available to explore when looking for a topic to write about. Please see some current law topics that may inspire your next research paper:

Unique Law Research Topic

Uniqueness is everything for students in research papers since an outstanding topic can be a stepping stone to scoring high grades. If you are looking for law paper topics that will grab your reader's attention while still attracting the professor's interest, look no further. We have compiled a list of 15 unique topics for law research paper as an easy way to get you started:

These topics will surely get you started on an intriguing research paper! With their help, you will write a captivating essay to engage and inform your readers.

Easy Legal Topics for Research Papers

Choosing easy legal paper topics can help you develop a practical as well as an efficient research paper for your studies. However, students studying law-related courses can find it challenging to pick suitable legal topics for research paper. To make this task easier, here are some issues you can choose from to write an excellent law paper:

Best Legal Research Topics in Different Law Branches

Law has a range of branches from which students can select ideas for their papers. Legal research topics for law students can be pretty challenging, especially when your professor requires you to tackle a topic in a specific branch. Branches for law topics to use in legal research paper highlighted in this blog include laws in business, banking and finance, civil rights, constitutional, corporate, criminal, international, immigration, education, entertainment, employment, family, environmental, and animal law topics. See below for the specialized categories of law topics for essays.

Business Law Topics for Research Papers

Business law forms the foundation for modern legal studies, providing frameworks that govern businesses and corporate operations. The business law research paper topics you select should be highly relevant to business and legal frameworks. Here are some legal topics to write about:

Find more  business law topics for research paper  by browsing one more blog.

Banking and Finance Law Topics

The banking sector is crucial for our economic system, and banking laws are vital to its proper functioning. Banks and financial organizations help us store, exchange, and manage money, and students in the banking and finance law field learn the regulations governing these activities. Let us look at these ten banking and finance law research topics that you can choose from:

Civil Rights Topics of Law

The civil rights movement and the laws that followed have had a lasting impact on our lives today. Many of these issues remain relevant, so it is essential to research civil rights topics better to understand the complexities as well as implications of civil rights. Here are ten civil rights research paper topics to help you get started:

Constitutional Law Research Paper Topics

Constitutional law is a complex and fascinating field of study that examines how constitutional rights are enforced, interpreted, as well as applied in different jurisdictions. Provided legal essay topics are an excellent starting point. If you're looking for constitutional law topics for research papers to write about, here are some ideas to get you started:

Combine this area with some historical facts for example. History research paper topics  that we created for students may help. 

Corporate Law Paper Topics

Research in corporate law can provide insight into the structure that shapes corporate entities, their operations, as well as corporate accountability. Here are ten corporate law research paper topics to consider for your next research project:

Criminal Law Topics for Essays

Criminal law focuses on studying the implications of criminal behavior and activities. These law research paper topics list can help you find a clear direction for criminal essays. Criminologists in practice and students can choose from the list of legal topics for essay we have outlined below:

International Law Research Topics

You can brainstorm different legal research questions from the branch of international law to help you choose one to focus on. This field covers international agreements, organizations, dispute resolution, as well as criminal justice issues. This makes it a wide-ranging body of research with many potential areas of study. Here are ten international topics for research papers to consider:

Immigration Law Topics for Research Paper

Globalization has helped create a diverse population in many countries but intensified immigration. Exploring the following law research paper ideas will help you pick a good topic for your paper. Here are ten immigration law research paper topics to get you started:

Education Law Topics for Legal Research Papers

The legal field of education examines issues related to educational institutions as well as students themselves. It covers student rights, teacher/staff responsibilities, disciplinary procedures, school safety, harassment, and funding. You will definitely find education law fascinating after reading through these topics, which also gives you a chance to choose one topic that interests you most. Here are ten legal writing topics to explore in this field:

There is one more blog in our library that will provide you with more ideas in this field. Browse different research questions on education and come up with something interesting. 

Entertainment Law Research Topics

Entertainment law covers the connection between entertainment, intellectual property rights, and business. Students need to have several law research paper topic ideas to explore legal issues surrounding entertainment. Here are ten entertainment law essay topics to explore:

Employment Law Research Paper Topics

Writing a research paper on employment law provides an opportunity to explore current areas related to employment rights and responsibilities. The following are some potential employment law paper topics:

Family Law Legal Topics to Write About

In everyday life, family law deals with relationships between family members, including marriage, adoption, and child custody. It covers various issues, from divorce to prenuptial agreements. If you are looking for legal topics for research paper in family law to write about, here are some suggestions:

Environmental Law Research Paper Topics

Environmental law focuses on studying as well as implementing important environmental regulations, such as pollution control or wildlife conservation. These environmental research paper topics can guide writing an essay that will definitely help you get a good grade. Here are ten potential legal research paper topics to explore in this field:

Animal Law Topics to Research

Animal law is increasingly gaining attention as animal rights lawyers and activists fight for recognition in the justice system. We consider animals an essential part of nature, and their protection has become vital. With this growing interest, research papers are becoming more popular among students as well as animal advocates. To help you get started on your animal law research paper topics, here is a list to explore:

Final Thoughts on Law & Legal Topics for Research Papers

When it comes to legal research paper topics, there is no shortage of ideas. From criminal and civil laws to international issues, the legal field presents a wide range of potential topics for your research paper. Be sure to narrow down your topic to ensure that you can adequately cover the issue you are writing about in your essay. Additionally, consulting resources, including scholarly articles, is important as you conduct your research. Doing so will help ensure that your paper provides adequate as well as accurate information. With the right law research topic, you can write an effective as well as engaging essay to help you stand out in the profession.

Contact our professional writing service and get help with research paper writing from academic pros. Our experts have solid experience in academic writing and always deliver papers beyond expectations. 

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law research proposal topics

How to do legal research in 3 steps

Knowing where to start a difficult legal research project can be a challenge. But if you already understand the basics of legal research, the process can be significantly easier—not to mention quicker.

So, whether you are a student still in law school or a seasoned attorney with years of experience, having solid research skills is crucial to be able to craft a winning argument. This is why it is so important to know how to perform legal research, including where to start and the steps to follow.

Step 1: What is legal research, and where do I start?

Black's law dictionary defines legal research as “[t]he finding and assembling of authorities that bear on a question of law." But what does that actually mean? Essentially, it means that legal research is the process you use to identify and find the laws—including statutes, regulations, and court opinions—that apply to the facts of your case.

In most instances, the purpose of legal research is to find support for a specific legal issue or decision. For example, attorneys must conduct legal research if they need court opinions (that is, case law) to back up a legal argument they are making in a motion or brief filed with the court.

Alternatively, lawyers may need legal research to simply provide clients with accurate legal guidance. And in the case of law students, they often use legal research to complete memos and briefs for class. But these are just a few of the situations in which legal research is necessary.

Key questions to ask yourself when starting legal research

Before you start looking for laws and court opinions, you first need to define the scope of your legal research project. There are several key questions you can use to help do this.

What are the facts?

Always gather the key facts so you know the "who, what, why, when, where, and how" of your case. And take the time to write everything down, especially since you will likely need to include a statement of facts in an eventual filing or brief anyway. Even if you don't think a fact may be relevant now, write it down because it may turn out to be relevant later. These facts will also be helpful when identifying your legal issue.

What is the actual legal issue?

You will never know what to actually research if you don't know what your legal issue is. Does your client need help collecting money from an insurance company following a car accident involving a negligent driver? How about a criminal case involving the exclusion of evidence found during an alleged illegal stop?

No matter the legal research project, you must identify the relevant legal problem as well as the outcome or relief sought. This information will guide your research so you can stay focused and on topic.

What is the relevant jurisdiction?

Don't cast your net too wide when it comes to legal research—meaning, you should focus on the relevant jurisdiction. For example, does your case deal with federal or state law? And if it is state law, which state? You may find a case in California state court that is exactly on point, but it won't be very helpful if your legal project involves New York law.

Where to start legal research: the library or online?

In years past, future attorneys were trained in law school to do their research in the library. But now, pretty much everything from the library—and more—can be found online. And while you can certainly still use the library if you want, you will probably be costing yourself valuable time if you do.

When it comes to online research, some people start with free legal research options, including search engines like Google or Bing. But if you want to make sure your legal research is comprehensive, you will want to use an online research service designed specifically for the law, such as Westlaw . Not only do online solutions like Westlaw have all the legal sources you need, but they also include Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other tools that can help make quick work of your legal research.

Step 2: How to find relevant case law and other primary sources of law

Now that you have gathered the facts and know your legal issue, the next step is knowing what to look for. After all, you will need law to support your legal argument, whether you are providing guidance to a client or writing an internal memo, brief, or some other legal document.

But what type of law do you need? The answer: primary sources of law. Some of the more important types of primary law include:

Searching for primary sources of law

So, if it's primary law you want, it makes sense to begin searching there first, right? Not so fast. While you will need primary sources of law to support your case, in many instances, it is much easier—and a more efficient use of your time—to begin your search within secondary sources such as practice guides, treatises, and legal articles.

Why? Because secondary sources provide you with a thorough overview of legal topics, meaning you don't have to start your research from scratch. After secondary sources, you can move on to primary sources of law.

For example, while no two legal research projects are the same, the order in which you will want to search different types of sources may look something like this:

Keep in mind, though, legal research isn't always a linear process. You may start out going from source to source as outlined above, and then find yourself needing to go back to secondary sources once you have a better grasp of the legal issue. In other instances, you may even find the answer you are looking for in a source not listed above, like a sample brief that was filed with the court by another attorney. Ultimately, you need to go where the information takes you.

Step 3: Make sure you are using “good” law

One of the most important steps with every legal research project is to verify that you are using “good" law—meaning a court hasn't invalidated it or struck it down in some way. After all, it probably won't look good to a judge if you cite a case that has been overruled or you use a statute that has been deemed unconstitutional. It doesn't necessarily mean you can never cite these sources; you just need to take a closer look before you do.

The simplest way to find out if something is still good law is to use a legal tool known as a citator, which will show you subsequent cases that have cited your source as well as any negative history, including if it has been overruled, reversed, questioned, or merely differentiated.

For instance, if a case, statute, or regulation has any negative history—and therefore may no longer be good law—KeyCite, which is the citator on Westlaw, will warn you. Specifically, KeyCite will show a flag or icon at the top of the document along with a little blurb about the negative history. This allows you to quickly know if there may be anything you need to worry about.

Some examples of these flags and icons include:

Another bonus of using a citator like KeyCite is that is also provides a list of other cases that merely cite your source—it can lead to additional sources you previously didn't know about.

Perseverance is key when it comes to legal research

Given that legal research is a complex process, it likely comes as no surprise that this guide cannot provide you with everything you need to know.

There is a reason why there are entire law school courses and countless books focused solely on legal research methodology. In fact, many attorneys will spend their entire careers honing their research skills—and even then, they may not have perfected the process.

So, if you are just beginning, don't get discouraged if you find legal research difficult — almost everyone does at first. With enough time, patience, and dedication, you can master the art of legal research.

Related insights

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Inspirational Ideas for Choosing Law Research Paper Topics

Updated 07 Dec 2022

When it comes to legal papers, one must be aware that they differ from country to country. While all law research paper topics practically come down to the same thing, numerous historical and cultural peculiarities are to be considered each time.

Choosing the best law topics can sometimes be challenging, and here’s when a law essay writing service may come in handy. These topics cover all the legal issues that get resolved in court, and when you wish to tackle them, you should pay attention to choose the right ones.

Since they’re delicate, choosing the right one is important because you have to answer law essay questions properly. There isn’t much space for philosophy here. After all, what’s written in the law are just pure black and white facts; there are no gray areas.

Law Research Paper Topics

❓ What Is a Law Research Paper?

This type of research paper comes with a legal research topic that is always particular. This paper has a limited number of pages which is also limited by time (there’s always a date when the paper is due). However, you are never limited by the country or the historical period.

There are actually about 21 fields of law to concentrate your research on. From constitutional and criminal to environmental and animal law — every student might find the sphere she/he is mostly interested in.

Legal writing requires each student to analyze fact patterns and support their arguments. This skill is essential for the majority of legal positions, as in the future work you might need to research legal questions, analyze different legal precedents, as well as present an answer in a form of memo and be able to properly cite all the sources used and referred.

Research papers have been involved to encourage students to discuss the changes different countries’ laws have gone through in time. Here, profound research and picking the right topic are the things that matter in the first place.

How to Select a Good Topic?

A good law research paper topic should have the following traits:

⚖️ List of 100 Law Research Paper Topics

Here’s a list of 30 creative legal research topics:

Essay Examples Relevant to Law

💰 Business Law Topics for Research Paper

Save your time with free essay samples on Business Law

📖 constitutional law research paper topics.

Essay Examples Relevant to Constitutional Law

📜 Criminal Law Essay Topics

Essay Examples Relevant to Criminal Law

💻 Cyber Law Paper Topics

Essay Examples Relevant to Cyber Law

📕 Law Enforcement Paper Topics

Essay Examples Relevant to Law Enforcement

🌐 International Law Topics for Research

Essay Examples Relevant to International Law

Drunk Driving Topic Ideas

Save your time with free essay samples on Drunk Driving

♻️ environmental law topics for a research.

Essay Examples Relevant to Environmental Law

Let’s start writing!

Don’t hesitate to get inspiration from our list of criminal justice research topics and come up with the most relevant and engaging one right for you. If you still have concerns about how to start your essay, contact our friendly customer support to get all the details.

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law research proposal topics

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COMMENTS

  1. Preparing a research proposal

    1. a short descriptive title of the project. (This does not have to be exactly the same as the title eventually given to the thesis.) 2. a statement of the broad goal or goals of the project (ie. the general ideas) to be explored/discussed. 3. a statement of particular objectives and tasks to be undertaken.

  2. 230 Law Research Paper Topics: Best Legal Ideas 2023

    We have compiled a list of 15 unique topics for law research paper as an easy way to get you started: The impact of corporate social responsibility in legal settings. Online privacy and cybersecurity: challenges and regulations. Legal implications of artificial intelligence development. The role of cybercrime in a digital age.

  3. The basics of legal research in 3 steps

    Some common law research areas include business law, commercial law, environmental law, international law, medical law, constitutional law, cyber law, family law and so on. As the law is a broad subject with endlesslaw research topics, it might be difficult for you to choose the most interesting one from them.

  4. 100 Law Research Paper Topics Ideas

    💰 Business Law Topics for Research Paper Business Law: Legislation Common Law And Conventions Business Law: The Basics Of Business Contracts And Agreements Sources Of Business Law In England Legal Environment of Business Law: Analysis of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights How crucial is the constitution for the creation of business law