How To Research Case Law8 min read

Case law is an important part of the legal system in many countries. It can be used to clarify the law, as well as to make decisions in specific cases. However, case law can be difficult to research. This article provides a guide to researching case law.

The first step in researching case law is to identify the jurisdiction in which the case was heard. This can be done by looking at the court location or the court abbreviation. Once you have identified the jurisdiction, you can then begin to research the case.

One of the best ways to research case law is to use a legal research database. These databases contain case law from all over the world, and they are searchable by keywords, court location, and court abbreviation. Some of the most popular legal research databases include Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Justis.

If you are unable to find the case you are looking for in a legal research database, you can try searching for it in a library catalog or on the internet. However, it is important to note that not all cases are published online or in libraries.

Once you have located the case, it is important to read it carefully. The case will likely contain a summary of the facts of the case, as well as the judge’s decision. You should also read any accompanying case law, as this can help you to understand the judge’s reasoning.

If you are unsure of the meaning of a particular term or phrase in a case, you can use a legal dictionary to help you. A legal dictionary is a dictionary that contains definitions of legal terms.

Finally, it is important to remember that case law is not binding on other courts. However, case law can be persuasive authority, meaning that other courts may be more likely to follow the reasoning of a case if it is well-reasoned.

What are the methods for search of a case law?

There are a number of ways to search for a case law. 

The most common way to search for a case law is to use a legal database. A legal database is a database of case law, legislation, and other legal resources. There are a number of different legal databases, and each database has its own search engine. The most common legal databases are Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Justis.

Westlaw and LexisNexis are the two biggest legal databases in the world. They both have a huge database of case law, legislation, and other legal resources. They both also have their own search engines.

Justis is a smaller legal database, but it still has a large database of case law. It also has its own search engine.

Another way to search for a case law is to use a legal search engine. A legal search engine is a search engine that searches only for case law. The most common legal search engines are Google Scholar and HeinOnline.

Google Scholar is a search engine developed by Google. It searches only for case law and academic articles.

HeinOnline is a search engine developed by the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf. It searches only for case law and legislation.

How do I search case law on Google?

If you’re looking for information on a specific case, you can search for it on Google. In the search bar, type in the name of the case and the year it was decided.

For example, if you want to find information on Roe v. Wade, you would type “Roe v. Wade 1973.”

If you’re not sure of the exact name of the case, you can also try searching for keywords that are mentioned in the case. For example, if you’re looking for information on the Affordable Care Act, you could try searching for “Obamacare.”

When you search for cases on Google, you’ll see a list of results from different websites. To find the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s important to read a variety of sources.

If you’re looking for a specific document from a case, you can try searching for the case citation. A case citation is a unique identifier that is assigned to every case by a court. It looks like this:

US v. Microsoft Corp.

You can find the citation for a case by looking for it on the website of the court that decided it. Once you have the citation, you can type it into Google and press enter. This will bring up a list of websites that have the document you’re looking for.

How do you do legal research?

There are many ways to do legal research, but the most common approach is to use a legal research database.

The first step is to identify the specific legal issue you are researching. Once you have a good understanding of the issue, you can start to look for cases and statutes that might be relevant.

You can find legal research databases on the internet or in your local law library. The most common databases include Westlaw, LexisNexis, and Bloomberg Law.

Each database has its own search engine, so you will need to learn how to use each one. Generally, you can search by keyword, author, or case citation.

Once you have found a few relevant cases or statutes, you need to read them carefully to see how they might apply to your situation.

If you need help understanding a case or statute, you can consult a lawyer or legal librarian.

Legal research can be challenging, but it is an important skill for lawyers and law students. With practice, you will be able to find the right cases and statutes to support your arguments.

What are the five steps to legal research?

When embarking on a legal research project, it is important to have a plan and follow a set of steps in order to ensure a successful outcome. Here are five steps to legal research:

1. Define the legal question

The first step is to define the legal question you are seeking to answer. This should be a specific question that can be answered by researching case law, statutes, and other legal resources.

2. Gather background information

In order to understand the legal question you are researching, you need to gather background information about the issue. This includes reviewing case law and statutes related to the topic, as well as conducting a legal research internet search to get an overview of the current state of the law.

3. Research the law

Once you have a good understanding of the legal question, it is time to research the law. This can be done by reviewing case law and statutes, as well as reading legal treatises and other secondary sources.

4. Analyze the law

After researching the law, it is important to analyze it and determine how it applies to the specific facts of your case. This includes applying legal principles to the facts of the case and determining the applicable law.

5. Draft a legal memorandum

Once you have analyzed the law, you need to draft a legal memorandum summarizing your findings. This memorandum should include a discussion of the law, how it applies to the facts of the case, and your conclusion as to how the law should be applied.

What is the fastest way to read a law case?

There is no one definitive answer to the question of how to read a law case. However, there are a few techniques that can help you read and understand cases more quickly.

One way to read a law case is to start by looking at the headings and subheadings. This will give you an overview of the case and help you to understand the key points.

Another technique is to read the facts of the case first. This will help you to understand the legal issues that are involved.

Once you have read the facts, you can then read the court’s decision. This will tell you how the court ruled on the case.

Finally, you can read the reasoning behind the court’s decision. This will help you to understand the logic of the court’s ruling.

By following these steps, you can read a law case more quickly and effectively.

How can a researcher locate a case law in the law library?

A researcher can locate a case law in the law library by using the library’s online catalog and/or by using a legal research database.

The library’s online catalog can be used to find a case law by doing a keyword search. The researcher can then find the case law in the library’s print collection or in the library’s electronic collection.

A legal research database can be used to find a case law by doing a keyword search. The researcher can then find the case law in the database’s print collection or in the database’s electronic collection.

Is Google Scholar good for legal research?

Google Scholar is a search engine designed to allow users to find scholarly literature across disciplines. It includes peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, abstracts and court opinions, and can be used for legal research.

While Google Scholar is not as comprehensive as a traditional legal research database, it can be a useful tool for finding primary sources and getting an overview of a topic. It is also free to use, which can be a cost savings for law students and attorneys.

However, Google Scholar should not be used as a primary source of legal information, and should not be relied on to find case law or to research a specific legal issue. The results returned by Google Scholar can be unreliable, and the information found there may not be up to date.