What is the most effective resource when using past law to support a current case?

Enacted law from the controlling jurisdiction is the most effective resource when using past law to support a current case because it reflects the current legal standards and rules that are applicable to the case at hand. This type of law includes statutes, regulations, and ordinances that have been formally enacted by a legislative body or governing authority.

Using enacted law allows legal practitioners to rely on the most authoritative and relevant legal principles that directly govern the issues they are dealing with in their case. This is particularly crucial because judicial decisions can evolve, and interpretations of law may change over time. By grounding arguments in the current enacted laws, paralegals and lawyers ensure that they are aligned with the latest legal frameworks, enhancing their case's viability.

While historical judgments and secondary legal sources can provide valuable context and insights, they do not carry the same legal weight or relevance as the current laws in effect. Legal textbooks can serve as helpful resources for understanding legal principles and theories but are not direct sources of law like enacted statutes are. Therefore, focusing on the enacted law provides the most solid foundation for argumentation in legal contexts.