Introduction

Legal research is the process of finding an answer to a legal question or checking for a legal
precedent that can be cited in a brief or at a trial. It is the inquiry and investigation necessary to be
made by legislators, judges, lawyers, and legal writers in the performance of their duties.

Of the three branches of the Government, the Legislative Branch is that branch of the
government that utilizes and maximizes the function of Legal Research. Legal Research has always
been an essential part of the Legislative Department mainly because it is used before a bill, law, or
statute is passed.

The Legislative Power is vested in the Congress of the Philippines, which is composed of
two houses the Senate, and the House of Representatives. The law-making function of the
Congress is very important. It passes laws that regulate the conduct of and relations between the
private citizens and the government. It defines and punishes crimes against the state and against
persons and their property.

Body of the Research

Legal Research is essential in the function of the legislature. It facilitates in the drafting of
laws, resolution and amendments to be able to assess the needs of the public and society.

As been defined above, Legal Research is the process of finding an answer to a legal
question or checking for a legal precedent that can be cited in a brief or at a trial. Thus, without
legal research, there can be no legal sources to support those laws created by legislators to address
and regulate the conducts and relations of the citizens with the government or with private
individuals. Furthermore, laws can only be as effective as the information gathered during legal
research. Legal Research provides the real world facts and information used in arguments and
solutions that makes up the process of passing laws and bills. It digs up information from the past
that is relevant to the issue/s at hand. It shows how the issue/s have been handled before and what
way/s have been undertaken to resolve such issue/s. The same also goes for laws enacted in the
past that are no longer applicable today and must already be repealed or amended. Legal Research
guides the researchers and legislators to the right path in decision-making. In a sense, legal
research enables legislators to formulate laws that not only see the past and present but also how it
will affect future generations if such laws are to be enacted.

Moreover, in legal research, it is also important that the deliberation in the passage of a bill
is ascertained. This we call legislative history, it includes such things as sponsorship speeches,
legislative hearings, debates and reports and earlier drafts of the final bills.

Conclusion

Legal Research makes the functions of the legislators easier by providing them tools and
documents which serve as their guide for doing their work. Moreover, legal research is fundamental
for legislators, for them to keep abreast with the laws and statutes passed; such requirement makes
legal research relevant and necessary in achieving quality and effective legislation.

The Philippines would be an unimaginable place, should legislators exclude the use of legal
research in their law-making function. As said by other reporters, A law not based on a thorough
legal research is not a law at all. The law, if not based on thorough legal research, wont have any
ground to stand on and would lack factual and legal support. It would easily crumble and be
rendered ineffective, as it does not have any proper basis.

Hence, Legal Research indeed renders a great contribution in the duty of the legislators both
locally and nationally by providing data on policymaking, which is used as basis for their legislative
proposals. Further, it is used daily as in the preparation of pleadings and resolutions. Oftentimes, it
is used as a toll for quality legislation and legislative actions on public requests or petitions
submitted to the committees. Finally, it is essential and relevant to the task of the legislative
department, which is to enact laws based upon the Philippine Constitution and special statutes.
Therefore, no legislation can be approved unless backed up by legal research.