1. Introduction to Case Law Research
Annette Demers
Associate Dean, Law Library
and Legal Research Services

2. Supreme Court Reports (SCR)
Official copy:
Includes scanned copy of historical reports with page numbers.
Explain case citation.
QL homepage citation search.

3. Case Citations
Case Citation
Health Services and Support -- Facilities Subsector Bargaining Assn. v British Columbia, 2007 SCC 27, [2007] 2 SCR 391.
Explain case citation.
QL homepage citation search.

4. Two Main Kinds of Research
for the Beginner
Find this case.
Find cases on this topic.

5. Choose Your System – Consider:
Two Main Kinds of Research
Find this case.
Find cases on this topic.
Annette’s Formula for Success
Choose Your System – Consider:
Is this system free or will it cost my client to use it?
Does this system have the content that I need?
Does this system have the functionality that I need?
System

6. Annette’s Formula for Success
Choose the right system.
System
Free.
Includes:
judicial decisions
many tribunal decisions.

7. Annette’s Formula for Success
Choose the right system.
System
Charges apply.
Includes:
-judicial decisions
-many tribunal decisions.

8. Annette’s Formula for Success
Choose the right system.
System
Charges apply.
Includes:
-judicial decisions
-NO tribunal decisions.

9. Annette’s Formula for Success
Choose the right system.
System
TRIBUNAL WEBSITES
Free. .

10. Choose the right system.
Two Main Kinds of Research
Find this case.
Find cases on this topic.
Annette’s Formula for Success
System
Database
Choose the right system.
2. Choose the right database within the system.

11. Annette’s Formula for Success
System
Database

12. Annette’s Formula for Success
System
Database

19. Choose the right system.
Two Main Kinds of Research
Find this case.
Find cases on this topic.
Annette’s Formula for Success
System
Database
Choose the right system.
2. Choose the right database within the system.

20. Annette’s Formula for Success
System
Review your problem for:
Specifics;
Database
Specifics
Whenever you receive a question from a lawyer – it will either be:
Pull something specific
Research a topic.
Specifics – briefly explain database fields
-CanLII –case name, citation, date
-Quicklaw – homepage for quick searches
Next slide is for QL homepage citation search

21. Locate this Case Using Westlaw
Case Citation
Health Services and Support -- Facilities Subsector Bargaining Assn. v British Columbia, 2007 SCC 27, [2007] 2 SCR 391.
Explain case citation.
QL homepage citation search.

22. Case Citation
Explain case citation.
QL homepage citation search.

23. Case Citation
Explain case citation.
QL homepage citation search.

24. Case Citation
Explain case citation.
QL homepage citation search.

25. Case Citation
Explain case citation.
QL homepage citation search.

33. Locate this Case Using CanLII
Case Citation
Health Services and Support -- Facilities Subsector Bargaining Assn. v British Columbia, 2007 SCC 27, [2007] 2 SCR 391.
Explain case citation.
QL homepage citation search.

37. Two Main Kinds of Research
for the Beginner
Find this case.
Find cases on this topic.

38. Two Main Kinds of Research
Find this case.
Find cases on this topic.
If asked to research on a topic, first try:
a. Dictionary
b. Encyclopedia
c. Textbook or looseleaf
d. Journal article
Whenever you receive a question from a lawyer – it will either be:
Pull something specific
Research a topic.

39. Annette’s Formula for Success
Use Unique Terms Only
Annette’s Formula for Success
System
Database
Specifics
Unique Terms
Example: Are there any cases where the chinese cultural custom of filial piety was considered in an award for damages for personal injury?
1. System 2. Database 3. Specifics 4. Unique Terms

40. Include the Key Legal Issue
Annette’s Formula for Success
System
Database
Specifics
Unique Terms
Key Legal Issue
The client has complained
that she was denied a job
due to racism.

41. Annette’s Formula for Success
Use Unique Terms Only
Annette’s Formula for Success
System
Database
Specifics
Unique Terms
Key Legal Issue
The client has complained
of discrimination on the
basis of race in an application
for employment.

42. Annette’s Formula for Success
Consider Synonyms
Annette’s Formula for Success
System
Database
Specifics
Unique Terms
Key Legal Issue
Synonyms
accomplice
accessory
co-conspirator
abettor

43. Annette’s Formula for Success
Use Operators
Truncation
Operators
Annette’s Formula for Success
System
Database
Specifics
Unique Terms
Key Legal Issue
Synonyms

44. Annette’s Formula for Success
Truncation
Operators
Annette’s Formula for Success
System
Database
Specifics
Unique Terms
Key Legal Issue
Synonyms
Does the contract principle of “caveat emptor” (buyer beware) still apply in cases where the seller engaged in fraudulent misrepresentation?
Try it!

45. Annette’s Formula for Success
Truncation
Operators
Annette’s Formula for Success
System
Database
Specifics
Unique Terms
Key Legal Issue
Synonyms
(“caveat emptor” or “buyer beware”) and “fraudulent misrepresentation”

46. Visit our Website: http://www.uwindsor.ca/law/library Presented by
Annette Demers BA LLB MLIS
Associate Dean, Law Library and Legal Research Services