Answered By: Christine Barnes
Last Updated: 27 Aug 2024     Views: 324

Go to the Library Subject Guides and select "Law"

Once you are in the Law Subject Guide, hover over the Primary Materials tab and select "Find Case Law"

Case law databases are listed under "Find case law (online)".

 

Westlaw AU

Once you are in Westlaw AU, under the tab 'Content types' - select 'All cases' & a simple 'cases' - one line search bar opens.

   Below this search bar there is options to search - Latest cases / unreported Judgements / Cases by jurisdiction / Cases by practice area.

      

        Cases - one line search bar - search using this single bar.

       Advanced Search - Cases -  specific / detailed search template - select 'Advanced' link at the far right of the search bar.

                                                       'Advanced search: cases' template opens.

 

Find Cases by Case Name or Party Name

In 'Cases' - one line search bar - enter names (no v required) & case options will start to appear below.     

In 'Advanced search: cases' template - enter names in - 'Case Title/Party Name' field.

 

Find cases by Keywords

In 'Cases' - one line search bar - enter keywords & case options will start to appear below.     

In 'Advanced search: cases' template - enter keyword or phrases in - 'Find documents that have' section. 

* on the right of the search template - option to use the 'connectors & Expanders' to assist searching.

 

Find cases by Citation

In 'Cases' - one line search bar - enter citation & options will start to appear below.     

In 'Advanced search: cases' template - enter citation in 'Citation' section.

 

Video - Introduction to searching for case law - Westlaw  

 

 

Lexis +   (Lexis+ is the new version of Lexis Advance)

Name search

From the search bar - change the drop down menu 'All content' & select AU cases.

In search bar - start typing name/s. Options will start to appear.

 

Names of cases can also be searched by - 

     Click on 'Advanced Search' & select 'AU cases' from the drop down list.

     AU cases template search opens.

     use 'Case Name' field to search.

 

Citation search

Click on 'Advanced Search' & select 'AU cases' from the drop down list.

AU cases template search opens.

In citation field - type in citation.

 

Topic search 

Select 'Topics' on tab under the search bar.

Narrow search by selecting subcategory or using the 'Search Topics' option.

 

Topic can also be searched by - 

     Click on 'Advanced Search' & select 'AU cases' from the drop down list.

     AU cases template search opens.

     use 'Terms' field to search.

 

CCH iKnowConnect

Once you are in CCH iKnowConnect, you can either search or browse areas of law to find cases.

1.   Search

Enter search terms/keywords in to the Search/Browse search box.
e.g. negligence
Click Search.
The results screen will display all available document types. To find cases only, click on by Document Type from the left hand menu and select Cases.
 

2.   Browse

On the home screen, use the left hand menu to navigate to a particular area of law.
Cases in a particular area will be listed as a subtopic
e.g. Occupational Health & Safety > Australian Work Health and Safety Law - Cases

Related Topics

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