What are advance sheets in the context of law publications?

Advance sheets serve as a critical intermediary in the legal publishing process, allowing for the timely dissemination of newly decided cases before they are compiled into hardcover volumes. They consist of periodically published slip opinions, which are essentially the initial drafts of court decisions, released in a loose leaf format. This format enables legal professionals to stay updated on recent rulings and developments while waiting for the complete volumes to be published.

The loose leaf format allows for easy handling, as practitioners can insert these sheets directly into their legal reference collections. This is particularly useful because the law is always changing, and attorneys need to keep abreast of the latest decisions that might impact ongoing or future cases. By using advance sheets, legal professionals can ensure that their understanding and application of the law are current and comprehensive.