Westlaw

Definition

Westlaw is a comprehensive online legal research service and proprietary database that provides access to a vast array of legal resources, including case law, statutes, regulations, and secondary legal materials. It is widely used by legal professionals to conduct research, draft legal documents, and stay informed about recent developments in the law.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Westlaw provides advanced search features that allow users to quickly locate relevant legal documents by using keywords, citations, or specific legal topics.
2. The platform includes tools for citation checking, which help ensure that legal arguments are supported by current and valid case law.
3. Westlaw offers access to a wide range of secondary sources, such as legal encyclopedias, treatises, and law reviews, which provide valuable context and analysis.
4. Users can create alerts for specific legal topics or cases to receive updates when new information becomes available, helping them stay on top of changes in the law.
5. Westlaw has a user-friendly interface that includes features like highlighted search results and suggested related content to enhance the research experience.

Review Questions

• How does Westlaw enhance the legal research process for professionals in the field?
  • Westlaw enhances the legal research process by providing a comprehensive database of legal resources that can be accessed quickly and efficiently. Its advanced search capabilities allow users to find relevant case law and statutes using various search methods, while citation checking tools ensure that legal arguments are grounded in current authority. Additionally, the availability of secondary sources offers valuable insights and context that support effective legal analysis.
• Compare and contrast Westlaw with other legal research platforms like LexisNexis in terms of functionality and user experience.
  • Westlaw and LexisNexis are both leading platforms in legal research, but they differ in some aspects of functionality and user experience. Westlaw is known for its intuitive interface and advanced search features that prioritize user accessibility. In contrast, LexisNexis may offer more extensive coverage of certain practice areas or jurisdictions. Ultimately, the choice between the two often depends on individual preferences and specific research needs within a given context.
• Evaluate the impact of technology like Westlaw on the evolution of legal practice in the 21st century.
  • The introduction of technology platforms like Westlaw has significantly transformed legal practice in the 21st century by streamlining the research process and improving efficiency. Lawyers can now access a wealth of information at their fingertips, reducing time spent on manual research. This technological shift has allowed for more informed decision-making and has contributed to a higher standard of practice by enabling lawyers to provide better service to their clients through thorough and timely legal analysis.

Related terms

LexisNexis: A major competitor to Westlaw, LexisNexis is an online legal research platform that offers similar services, including access to legal publications and a wide variety of databases.

Legal Research: The process of identifying and retrieving information necessary to support legal decision-making, including case law analysis, statutory interpretation, and secondary sources.

Case Law:

The body of law established by the outcome of former court cases, which is used as precedent for future decisions in similar cases.