Primary authorities are the backbone of legal research and practice. These are the actual laws: statutes, regulations, court decisions, and constitutional provisions. They are useful because they provide the legal foundation and rules that govern specific cases and issues. Think about a lawyer preparing for a trial, or a legal advisor interpreting a new regulation. They would delve into cases, statutes, or regulations directly related to their issue. For example, a criminal defense attorney would review court decisions to find precedents, while a corporate lawyer might focus on statutes and regulations affecting their client's business. How do you think primary authorities guide legal practitioners in their day-to-day work?