Legal Authority and Sources of Law

Which of the following are considered a primary source of law? Choose all that apply.

• A law review article

• A court decision

• A legal encyclopedia

• A statute

In which of the following are federal statutes printed?

• United States Code

• Mass. General Laws

• The Restatement

What courts bind the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts? Choose all that apply.

• Supreme Judicial Court

• First Circuit Court of Appeals

• U.S. Supreme Court

• Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Which of the following authority, if on point, would bind a Massachusetts trial court?

• A Supreme Judicial Court opinion

• A Massachusetts Appeals Court opinion

• A Massachusetts statute

• All of the above

What is the difference between a secondary source and a primary source?

• A secondary source is commentary on the law and a primary source is the law.

• They are the same.

• One is second and one is first.

Which source is highest in the hierarchy of authority? Assume all sources deal with the same legal issue.

• A statute

• A case

• A secondary source

Which branch of government creates statutes?

• Executive

• Legislative

• Judicial