LexisNexis

Definition

LexisNexis is a powerful online legal research database that provides access to a vast collection of legal resources, including case law, statutes, regulations, and secondary sources. It serves as an essential tool for legal professionals, allowing them to conduct thorough research and stay updated with the latest legal developments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. LexisNexis offers advanced search functionalities that enable users to filter results by jurisdiction, date, or type of law.
2. The platform includes tools for creating citations in various formats, making it easier to reference sources accurately in legal documents.
3. Users can access a range of secondary sources on LexisNexis, including legal encyclopedias, treatises, and law reviews that provide context and commentary on legal issues.
4. LexisNexis provides comprehensive legislative history research capabilities, allowing users to track the evolution of laws from their inception to present-day applications.
5. The platform is widely used in law schools and by legal practitioners due to its extensive database and user-friendly interface that aids in effective legal research.

Review Questions

• How does LexisNexis enhance the process of online legal research compared to traditional methods?
  • LexisNexis enhances online legal research by providing immediate access to a vast array of legal resources that would otherwise require significant time and effort to locate using traditional methods. Its advanced search capabilities allow users to pinpoint specific cases or statutes quickly and filter results by various criteria such as jurisdiction or relevance. This efficiency not only saves time but also ensures that researchers can access the most relevant information available.
• Discuss how Boolean search techniques are utilized within LexisNexis to improve research outcomes.
  • Boolean search techniques are crucial for maximizing the efficiency of research on LexisNexis. Users can employ operators such as AND, OR, and NOT to refine their searches, combining multiple terms or excluding certain words to narrow down results. By utilizing these techniques, researchers can find more precise information pertinent to their specific queries, ultimately leading to better-informed legal arguments and documentation.
• Evaluate the role of LexisNexis in legislative history research and how it supports comprehensive analysis of law changes over time.
  • LexisNexis plays a vital role in legislative history research by offering a centralized platform where users can track changes in laws through various documents like bills, amendments, committee reports, and floor debates. This capability supports a comprehensive analysis of how laws have evolved over time and allows researchers to understand the intent behind legislative changes. By using LexisNexis, legal professionals can easily gather historical context and pinpoint relevant materials that inform current legal interpretations.

Related terms

Westlaw: A comprehensive online legal research service and proprietary database for lawyers and legal professionals in the United States and globally, providing access to case law, statutes, and legal journals.

Legal Research: The process of identifying and retrieving information necessary to support legal decision-making, often involving databases like LexisNexis and Westlaw.

Case Briefing: The practice of summarizing a court case's facts, legal issues, and rulings, often facilitated by resources available through LexisNexis.