What happens to the legal research process if there is no statutory law on the issue?

When there is no statutory law on a particular legal issue, the legal research process does not come to an end. Instead, the process typically evolves to consider other sources of law, especially case law. In the absence of statutes, courts often look to prior judicial decisions to interpret similar issues, apply common law principles, or develop legal theories based on the facts at hand. This exploration of case law may uncover relevant precedents that help inform the legal standing or arguments related to the issue.

Furthermore, other legal sources, such as regulations, administrative codes, and constitutional provisions, may also play a significant role in addressing the issue at hand. Legal analysts and researchers are trained to look beyond strictly statutory law to find applicable legal principles and rulings.

Therefore, the assertion that the research process comes to an end when statutory law is absent overlooks the dynamic nature of legal research, which adapts to encompass various forms of legal authority to address any legal questions effectively. This flexibility is key in legal analysis and helps ensure that significant legal matters continue to be explored and litigated.