Legal Research using the Law Library’s Online Resources
Di Thompson, Law Librarian
Emalus Campus Library
Access Online Resources from the Emalus Campus Library site
Select Law Resources (via USPNet or remote). Access online databases and
online help guides here.
What to Use
For background information on a topic begin with a legal
encyclopedia:Halsburys Laws of EnglandHalsburys Laws of Australia
Laws of New Zealand
What to Use
For Cases on a particular Topic use:
WestLawLexis
CaseBase
What to UseFor articles on a particular topic
use:Westlaw
LexisPacific Law Journal Index
Pacific Journals IndexHein Online
Wilson’s Index to Legal Periodicals
WestLawGeneral search using terms and connectors or natural language:
1.Enter search terms in the search box
2.Select date range (if required)3.Select databases
WestLawTerms and connectors:
– Phrases – use “quotation marks” e.g. “duty of care”
– Default search is “or” search e.g. child juvenile minor (finds any of the words)
– Use & for “and” searches e.g. negligence & lawyers (finds all of the words)
– /s finds words in the same sentence e.g. manslaughter /s “reckless indifference”
– /p finds words in the same paragraph
WestLawTerms and connectors:• /n finds a word(s) within a certain number
of words of another (where n is the number of words) e.g. employment w/3 contract
• use % for “not” searches e.g. assault not indecent
• Wildcard * e.g. wom*n (finds woman or women)
• Truncation ! e.g. child! (finds child, children,
childhood)
Example
Results
Search by case title: find case Donoghue v Stevenson in All UK reports database
Results
Select version required e.g. [1932] A.C. 562Click on the History button to find a case summary,
alternative citations, articles, cases cited, history, leg cited:
Lexis
First select source (use recently used sources as shortcut if possible) then click on GO
Lexis
Enter search terms and restrict by date or document segment
Terms and connectors: • and (finds all of the words - e.g. negligence and
lawyers) • or (finds any of the words - e.g. child or juvenile
or minor)• and not (excludes a word - e.g. assault and not
indecent)
Lexis
Terms and connectors (cont.): • w/s finds words in the same sentence e.g.
manslaughter /s “reckless indifference”• w/p finds words in the same paragraph• Wildcard * e.g. wom*n (finds woman or women)• Truncation
! e.g. child! (finds child, children, childhood)
Example
Results
To find a particular case first select a database then:
Halsburys Laws of England/Australia
Halsburys : results
Example of ‘references to cases’ search:
Results
Browsing Halsburys
From Home page click on red commentary tab, select the source you wish to browse eg. Halsburys Laws of England, then click on the Browse tab
Browsing Halsburys
Open up chapters by clicking on the + signs until the topic required:
Wilson’s Index to Legal Periodicals
Wilson’s Index to Legal Periodicals: Results
Hein Online
Hein Online: results
Hein Online: full text
Research Tips and Tricks
•Be clear about what is required – do you need a specific case or piece of legislation, background material or articles on a topic? Which jurisdictions should you search?
•Determine the best sources to use
•REMEMBER: Computers cannot search for concepts – they only search for words
•Use synonyms /alternative terms/variant spellings
•All search engines are different – always check the search tips or instructions for searching
Research Tips and Tricks
•Use terminology common to the subject or jurisdiction
•Consult the online research guides for more comprehensive help on using the various online resources
•Please don’t hesitate to contact the Law Librarian for assistance or more comprehensive training ([email protected])