32 A. Ten steps to find the law on a problem

1. State the facts and frame the issues — convert a client's story into legal questions. 2. Identify the area and possible jurisdictions — criminal? contract? constitutional? federal or provincial law? 3. Begin with secondary sources — a textbook or commentary gives the map of the area and cites the key statutes and cases (never end with them). 4. Go to primary law — read the constitutional provision and the statute in full (current version!), and the Rules under it. 5. Check the currency — amendments, repeal; use the Nepal Law Commission's updated compilation (lawcommission.gov.np) and the Nepal Gazette for amendments. 6. Find case law — is there a Supreme Court decision on the section? Search Supreme Court judgments (supremecourt.gov.np), Nepal Kanoon Patrika (official reporter), and NJA's databases. 7. Extract the rule — separate ratio from obiter; note how the section has been interpreted. 8. Update and verify — check later cases that applied, distinguished or overruled (the Supreme Court may review its own judgments, Art. 133(4)). 9. Organise the material — note cards/files with full citations. 10. Write the answer — IRAC, with authorities cited.