1. Searching Legal Databases 101
A Whirlwind Tour of the Key Elements.
1/16/2019
Paul F. McKenna, Adjunct, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University

2. Fundamentals Legal Research
Legal research in Canada, and elsewhere, is complex, costly, and critical to the success (or failure) of a wide range of ‘actions’ involving a host of ‘parties’
Searching available legal databases, and/or print resources, is the basis of most legal research
Whatever research being conducted MUST deal with the Law in its most current state
Researchers will be searching for relevant data in three (3) key areas:
Legal Research
Statutes
Case Law
Secondary Sources
1/16/2019
Paul F. McKenna, Adjunct, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University

3. Fundamentals Statutes Legislation Regulation Administrative Law
Court Rules
Case Law
Levels of Court
Citators
Digests
Reporters
Secondary Sources
Legal encyclopedia
Treatises
Practice guides
Law reviews/journals
Each of these areas will include (virtually) ALL of the sources you will need to access in search of answers to your legal Question
N.B.: I am taking some liberties here for the sake of clarity. Remember this is a highly complex area of professional practice!
1/16/2019
Paul F. McKenna, Adjunct, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University

4. Planning Legal Research
Craft search
Navigate results
Database selection
In essence, you will be trying to accomplish the following three (3) things:
Make proper database selections;
Craft precise & accurate searches; and
Effectively navigate results.
1/16/2019
Paul F. McKenna, Adjunct, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University

5. Dissecting the Problem
Legal concepts
Brief phrases
Catch words
Begin with an off-line process of clarifying your Problem, using
Catch words
Legal concepts
Brief phrases
1/16/2019
Paul F. McKenna, Adjunct, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University

6. Actions, Transactions, Events, etc.
Constructing a Search
Search terms MAY consider:
Parties: i.e., people or entities involved in the Problem
Actions, Transactions, Events, Things or Items involved in the Problem
Potential liability between parties & defenses to liability
Potential relief to be obtained in actions between parties
Parties
Actions, Transactions, Events, etc.
Potential Liability
Potential Relief
Search Terms
1/16/2019
Paul F. McKenna, Adjunct, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University

7. Major Legal Databases Fee-based: Lexis/Nexis Westlaw Strong & Free
CanLII
Others based on CanLII template
1/16/2019
Paul F. McKenna, Adjunct, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University

8. Major Legal Databases Fee-based: Lexis/Nexis
Westlaw
1/16/2019
Paul F. McKenna, Adjunct, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University

9. Two Sample Searches Mr. Big Sting
Nova Scotia Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT)
1/16/2019
Paul F. McKenna, Adjunct, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University

10. Two Sample Searches Mr. Big Sting What do we know?
RCMP undercover operation
Supreme Court of Canada case
Person from Gander, NL
SCC decision in July 2014
1/16/2019
Paul F. McKenna, Adjunct, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University

11. Two Sample Searches Mr. Big Sting https://www.canlii.org/en/
R. v. Hart (July 31, 2014)
1/16/2019
Paul F. McKenna, Adjunct, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University

12. Two Sample Searches Serious Incident Response Team (SiRT)
Access request for records
Nova Scotia Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Office
1/16/2019
Paul F. McKenna, Adjunct, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University

13. To learn more about conducting online (and/or print-based) legal research, consider taking INFO 6320 (Legal Literature & Librarianship) being offered through SIM in the Winter Term 2015.
Legal Research
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1/16/2019
Paul F. McKenna, Adjunct, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Dalhousie University