1. Introduction to the Topic and Key Number System

2. The Doctrine of Precedent
Precedents are prior cases in the jurisdiction that are close in fact or legal principles to the case in consideration.
The doctrine of precedent dictates that decisions reached in previous cases in the jurisdiction dealing with the same or similar issues should be followed, unless there is a good reason to deviate.

3. The Doctrine of Precedent
The doctrine of precedent is founded on a sense of fairness and the belief that decisions should be consistent and not arbitrary so that the legal consequence of conduct can be predicted.
This doctrine explains the attorney’s need for access to prior cases in the jurisdiction dealing with the same or similar issues.

4. National Reporter System, Headnotes, the Key Number System and the Key Number Digests
The National Reporter System is the name given to the entire group of publications that report both state and federal cases decided throughout the country. Some reporters cover specialty topics, such as bankruptcy.

5. Headnotes in a Case
Headnote 2
Headnotes appear before the text of every case in the National Reporter System.
A headnote is a paragraph summary of a single point of law discussed in the case.
Headnotes appear in the order the points of law are discussed in the case.
Headnote 1

6. Headnotes (Digest Paragraphs)
Headnotes are prepared by West attorney-editors using
consistent and current legal terminology instead of ambiguous, regional or outdated words
descriptive terms instead of proper names
Language of Opinion Language of Headnote
- Mr. Brown or plaintiff - landlord
- Tylenol or Bufferin - aspirin
- tipsy or inebriated - intoxicated
The headnotes help you retrieve many online cases that you would otherwise miss.

7. Headnote and Key Number
The point of law discussed in each headnote is assigned to at least one West topic number and key number.

8. West’s Key Number Digests
The headnotes from every reported case in the National Reporter System are organized by topic and key number in West’s Key Number Digests. Headnotes become digest paragraphs.
There are
federal, state, and regional digests
special-subject digests
digests that cover specific periods of time

9. West’s Key Number Digests
Using an on-point key number, you can find similar headnotes from other cases in any National Reporter System publication.
Each headnote in a digest cites, and on Westlaw® links, to the case in which the headnote appears.

10. 1. Cases are printed in the National Reporter System reporters. 5. 4. 1. 4
National Reporter System
Digests 3.
Constitutional Law 2. 3
Headnotes
Topic and Key Number System
1. Cases are printed in the National Reporter System reporters.
2. Each point of law discussed in a case is summarized in a headnote.
3. The point of law in each headnote is assigned a key number(s).
4. Digests organize all headnotes (digest paragraphs) by key number.
5. The key number in a digest is used to find other relevant cases.

11. Question West’s Key Number System integrates
The National Reporter System
The Key Number Digests
Headnotes that precede each National Reporter System case
All of the above

12. Question West’s Key Number System integrates
The National Reporter System
The Key Number Digests
Headnotes that precede each National Reporter System case
All of the above