Final answer:
Shephardizing is the process through which legal professionals evaluate the validity of a case and locate additional authority, ensuring that the sources used are up-to-date and relevant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of evaluating the validity of a case and locating additional authority is commonly referred to as Shephardizing. This legal research method involves checking the history and treatment of a legal case, statute, or regulation to ensure that it is still good law and to find subsequent authorities that may have cited it. It is a crucial step in legal research to avoid relying on outdated or overturned law and to locate sources that support or contradict a legal position.The effectiveness of Shephardizing relies on the thorough examination and analysis of sources. This process often begins with primary research, comprising of primary sources such as statutes, court opinions, or regulations, followed by secondary research that can include law reviews, treatises, or legal encyclopedias. Shephardizing helps to assess the relevance and applicability of these sources to the case at hand, further strengthening legal arguments and ensuring that they are founded upon valid and current precedents.