Legal Definitions - practice book

A practice book is a specialized legal guide that outlines the specific procedures and requirements for conducting legal cases within a particular court or type of court. It typically compiles essential information such as official court rules, standardized legal forms, and detailed instructions on how to navigate the legal process in that specific jurisdiction.

Here are some examples:

• Imagine a lawyer preparing a lawsuit for a client in a state's general civil court. They would consult a civil procedure practice book specifically for that state's courts. This book would contain the exact rules for filing a complaint, serving the opposing party, and deadlines for responding to motions. It would also include templates for common forms like subpoenas or discovery requests, ensuring the lawyer uses the correct format and follows all procedural steps required by that specific court system.

• An attorney specializing in immigration law, representing a client seeking asylum, would rely on a practice book for the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) courts. This resource would detail the specific rules for presenting evidence in an immigration hearing, the required forms for various applications (e.g., Form I-589 for asylum), and the procedural directions for appealing a judge's decision, ensuring compliance with federal immigration regulations and court procedures.

• A legal assistant working on an estate administration case after someone has passed away would use a probate court practice book for their local county. This resource would provide the specific forms needed to open a probate case, the rules for notifying beneficiaries and creditors, and step-by-step instructions on how to file inventories of assets and final accountings, all tailored to that particular court's requirements and local customs.