Westlaw

Definition

Westlaw is a comprehensive online legal research service that provides access to an extensive database of legal resources, including case law, statutes, regulations, and secondary sources. It is widely used by legal professionals to conduct thorough legal research and supports various search techniques, including advanced methods for narrowing results and retrieving relevant legal information efficiently.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Westlaw is known for its user-friendly interface that allows legal professionals to efficiently navigate through its extensive database.
2. The platform offers powerful Boolean search techniques, enabling users to refine their search queries to find highly relevant documents.
3. Westlaw provides access to legislative history research tools that help users track the development of laws and understand their context.
4. Secondary sources like law reviews and legal encyclopedias on Westlaw can be cited in legal writing to support arguments and provide background information.
5. Westlaw is part of a broader category of legal research platforms that are essential for modern legal practice and education.

Review Questions

• How does Westlaw enhance the process of online legal research compared to traditional methods?
  • Westlaw enhances online legal research by providing a centralized platform where users can access a vast array of legal resources quickly. Unlike traditional methods that might involve sifting through physical books or separate databases, Westlaw allows for advanced searching capabilities, including Boolean searches. This efficiency not only saves time but also increases the likelihood of finding relevant case law and statutes necessary for building strong legal arguments.
• Discuss how Westlaw's Boolean search techniques can impact the quality of legal research results.
  • Westlaw's Boolean search techniques allow users to combine keywords with operators like AND, OR, and NOT to refine their search queries. This level of specificity helps in filtering out irrelevant results and honing in on precisely the information needed for a case. As a result, researchers can obtain higher quality data that directly relates to their inquiries, which is crucial for effective legal analysis and argumentation.
• Evaluate the significance of Westlaw in understanding legislative history and how it contributes to comprehensive legal research.
  • Westlaw plays a significant role in understanding legislative history by providing access to comprehensive records that track the progression of laws over time. By utilizing Westlaw's tools, researchers can analyze not just the final text of legislation but also committee reports, debates, and amendments that shaped it. This depth of information is critical for attorneys who need to contextualize statutes within the framework of legislative intent, making Westlaw an indispensable resource in thorough legal research.

Related terms

LexisNexis: Another major online legal research service similar to Westlaw, offering a vast collection of legal materials, news, and business information.

Legal Research: The process of identifying and retrieving information necessary to support legal decision-making, often involving various sources like case law, statutes, and regulations.

Case Law: Law established by the outcomes of former court cases and judicial decisions that are used as precedents in future cases.