Primary sources of law are the authoritative sources of law as made by law making bodies. They include:

• Case Law - the decisions made by the courts which can both establish and refine legislative law. Case Law is also known as Common Law or Judge-made Law, cases, court decisions, judgments or judicial decisions
• Legislation - is the largest source of law in Australia and forms the basis of the Australian Legal System. includes Acts of Parliament (or Statutes) and subordinate or delegated legislation (such as regulations). 

How do I know which cases to read?
Cases which are referred to by your lecturer, those that keep appearing in secondary resources that are 'seminal' and where a passage from a certain judge is frequently repeated.

Reading and understanding case law and legislation is a skill that takes time to develop. Remember secondary sources such as journal articles and textbooks can help you develop your understanding of the law.

How do I know when to stop researching?
Sometimes it can be difficult to know when to stop researching and start writing. Here are some guidelines to help you know when it is time to stop

• The commentary is becoming repetitive
• You have read the same point in a number of different sources.
• You notice that the same cases and articles keep appearing
• You are already familiar with the issues
• You have updated the primary authority. This should be the last step.