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 England Halsburys Laws of Australia Laws of New Zealand

What to Use For Cases on a particular Topic use: WestLaw Lexis CaseBase

What to Use For articles on a particular topic use: Westlaw Lexis Pacific Law Journal Index Pacific Journals Index Hein Online Wilson’s Index to Legal Periodicals

WestLaw General 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

WestLaw Terms 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

WestLaw Terms 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

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Search by case title: find case Donoghue v Stevenson in All UK reports database

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Select version required e.g. [1932] A.C. 562 Click 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

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To find a particular case first select a database then:

Halsburys Laws of England/Australia

Halsburys : results

Example of ‘references to cases’ search:

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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