State the issue and its boundaries

Write the question in a form that includes the relevant jurisdiction, procedural setting, and material facts known so far. Mark assumptions explicitly. If the assignment is unclear, ask what the answer will be used for and how complete it needs to be at this stage. A preliminary orientation and a final advice memorandum require different depth, review, and treatment of uncertainty.

Plan a sequence that can be checked

Identify the types of authority and current procedural material that may be relevant. Use an approved research method and record where the work begins. ABA Model Rule 1.1 connects competent representation with appropriate knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation. A planned session is an organisational aid; it does not replace the legal judgment and verification needed to determine which authorities actually apply.

Keep findings separate from provisional ideas

Use notes that distinguish an authority’s proposition, your interpretation, and a question still to investigate. Record enough identifying information to return to the source and check its context. Do not turn a useful search result into a conclusion before reviewing the underlying material. If an automated tool assists the process, independently verify quotations, citations, and the claimed relevance of the authorities it suggests.

Protect the task from avoidable switching

Where the matter allows, set aside a defined interval for the research and agree how genuine urgent issues will reach you. Keep unrelated requests in the appropriate work system rather than trying to resolve them all within the same session. At the end of the interval, review progress and the remaining issue. The purpose is a clearer work sequence, not an arbitrary target for uninterrupted hours.

Finish with a useful handoff

Summarise what the research supports, what remains uncertain, and what should be checked next. Include any limits in scope and the date of the review. If another person will use the work, make the route back to the authorities clear. A short, candid handoff is more valuable than a confident answer that conceals an unresolved fact or an unexamined jurisdictional question.

Take it into the day

A small place to start

  • Write the issue and identify assumptions.
  • Choose an appropriate research sequence.
  • Verify sources and keep a traceable record.
  • State what remains unresolved.

Reference point: American Bar Association, Model Rule 1.1, “Competence.” Research organisation suggestions do not replace jurisdiction-specific professional duties. Reviewed October 2, 2026.

General information for reflection and professional development. Consider your circumstances and seek appropriate legal, professional, or healthcare advice where needed.