1. Topical Legal Research
By Annette Demers, Law Librarian

2. Sample Legal Research Questions
Sample Question
Type of Research
I need you to pull this case (citation provided).
Case law research.
I need you to pull this statute or reg.
Statutory research.
Note up this case.
Locate judicial consideration of this case.
Note up this statute.
Locate judicial consideration of this statute.
I need you to find commentary on this topic.
Secondary research.
I need you to find case law on this topic.
Secondary research leading to primary law.
What is the leading case on this topic?

3. Sample Legal Research Questions
Sample Question
Type of Research
I need you to pull this case (citation provided).
Case law research.
I need you to pull this statute or reg.
Statutory research.
Locate judicial consideration of this case.
Noting up a case.
Locate judicial consideration of this statute.
Noting up a statute.
I need you to find commentary on this topic.
Secondary research.
I need you to find case law on this topic.
Secondary research leading to primary law.
What is the leading case on this topic?

4. Locating Commentary on a Topic
Sample Question:
Betty has come to Ms. Q for advice and assistance. Betty fears that her injuries will permanently affect her ability to operate her bar, to the extent she has been able to do in the past, and her income. She’s not sure if JIM BEAM can be responsible for her injuries. She is adamant that she did not smash the bottle against another bottle or anything else, and did nothing out of the ordinary in cleaning the bar – she simply did what she has done at least once a week for the past 13 years. Betty has never encountered, nor heard of, an exploding liquor bottle.
Research Approach Option #1: Check a legal encyclopedia.
(CED on Westlaw) or (Halsbury’s on Quicklaw)

5. Citing Halsbury’s See McGill Guide page E-135.
Halsbury’s Laws of Canada, Occupations and Trades, (Markham, Ont: LexisNexis Canada, 2008), at HOT-34 “Manitoba Architects” (2015 reissue).

6. Topical Legal Research
By Annette Demers, Law Librarian