Westlaw

Definition

Westlaw is a comprehensive online legal research service that provides access to a vast database of legal resources, including case law, statutes, regulations, and secondary sources. It serves as an essential tool for legal professionals, offering features that enhance the research process through advanced search capabilities and detailed analysis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Westlaw offers a powerful search engine that allows users to find relevant legal documents quickly using keywords, citations, and filters.
2. The service includes a unique citation analysis feature that helps researchers verify the authority of cases and statutes by providing treatment history.
3. Westlaw provides access to a wide range of secondary sources such as law review articles, practice guides, and legal encyclopedias that aid in understanding complex legal issues.
4. The platform regularly updates its database to ensure that users have access to the most current legal information, making it essential for case law searching.
5. Westlaw features tools for organizing research findings, such as saving documents and creating alerts for changes in law or related cases.

Review Questions

• How does Westlaw improve the efficiency of the legal research process?
  • Westlaw enhances the efficiency of legal research by offering advanced search capabilities that allow users to pinpoint relevant documents quickly. The platform's extensive database includes case law, statutes, regulations, and secondary sources, streamlining the research process for attorneys and legal professionals. Features like citation analysis and key filters further simplify finding reliable sources while reducing the time spent sifting through irrelevant material.
• What are the advantages of using Westlaw over traditional print resources for legal research?
  • Using Westlaw offers significant advantages over traditional print resources. With instant access to a vast array of updated legal materials, researchers can easily find specific cases and statutes without flipping through books. The ability to perform keyword searches and apply filters enhances the user experience by delivering targeted results quickly. Additionally, tools like citation checking allow users to verify case validity with real-time updates—something not possible with print resources.
• Evaluate the role of Westlaw in ensuring the reliability and quality of legal sources in contemporary legal practice.
  • Westlaw plays a critical role in maintaining the reliability and quality of legal sources in modern legal practice. By providing access to constantly updated databases and comprehensive citation tools, it allows users to validate the authority of cases effectively. The platform’s integration of secondary sources enriches understanding by offering context and expert analysis on legal issues. As a result, Westlaw not only enhances the research process but also fosters informed decision-making among legal professionals, ultimately promoting higher standards in legal practice.

Related terms

LexisNexis:

Another leading online legal research service that competes with Westlaw, providing similar access to legal resources and a suite of research tools.

Legal Citation:

A reference system used to identify legal documents, including cases and statutes, making it easier to locate and cite specific legal texts.

Shepardizing: The process of checking the validity and subsequent history of a case using citation tools like Shepard's or Westlaw’s KeyCite to ensure it is still good law.