Westlaw

Definition

Westlaw is a comprehensive legal research service that provides access to a vast database of legal resources, including statutes, regulations, case law, and secondary sources. It is widely used by legal professionals to streamline the research process, making it easier to find relevant case law and legal precedents, and analyze legal issues efficiently.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Westlaw offers advanced search features that allow users to conduct precise legal research using keywords, citations, or by filtering results by jurisdiction.
2. The platform includes tools for analyzing case law trends and outcomes, helping users identify important cases and their impacts on similar legal issues.
3. Westlaw provides access to a variety of secondary sources like legal encyclopedias, treatises, and journal articles to support deeper understanding of legal topics.
4. With features like Westlaw Edge, users can benefit from artificial intelligence tools that help predict case outcomes and suggest relevant cases based on the user's query.
5. Westlaw's extensive citation database helps researchers ensure they are referencing the most current and relevant case law and statutory material.

Review Questions

• How does Westlaw enhance the efficiency of legal research methodologies compared to traditional research methods?
  • Westlaw enhances the efficiency of legal research by providing a centralized platform where legal professionals can access a vast array of resources quickly. Unlike traditional methods that require sifting through physical books or scattered online resources, Westlaw's advanced search capabilities allow users to find relevant statutes, case law, and secondary sources in a fraction of the time. This streamlined approach saves time and improves accuracy in locating necessary legal information.
• In what ways does Westlaw support case law research for lawyers looking to establish precedents in their arguments?
  • Westlaw supports case law research by providing users with access to a comprehensive database of judicial opinions from various courts. Lawyers can search for cases using specific keywords or citations and use filters to narrow results based on jurisdiction or court level. Additionally, Westlaw allows users to analyze case trends and outcomes through its analytical tools, making it easier for lawyers to find precedents that strengthen their arguments.
• Evaluate the role of Westlaw in the analysis of secondary sources for legal practitioners and how it contributes to informed decision-making.
  • Westlaw plays a crucial role in the analysis of secondary sources by offering access to a wealth of scholarly articles, legal commentaries, and treatises that provide context and interpretation of primary legal materials. This access allows practitioners to gain insights into complex legal issues beyond mere case law. By leveraging these secondary sources on Westlaw, lawyers can better understand evolving legal standards and theories, thereby enhancing their decision-making processes and ultimately leading to more informed legal strategies.

Related terms

Legal Research: The process of identifying and retrieving information necessary to support legal decision-making.

Case Law: Law established by the outcome of former court cases, which is used as a precedent in future cases.

Secondary Sources: Documents that analyze, interpret, or summarize primary legal materials, such as law review articles and legal treatises.