How do I search cases in Westlaw?
Asked by: Prof. Tyrel Keeling | Last update: March 26, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (73 votes)
If you know one or more of the parties' names, click Find a Case by Party Name in the left frame of the Law School page. Type one or both of the parties' names in the appropriate text boxes, select the jurisdiction in which the case was heard or the reporter in which it was published, and click Go.
How to search for something in Westlaw?
Type your query in the Search text box and click Search Westlaw. For assistance using Westlaw, call 1-800-WESTLAW (1-800-937-8529). For free reference materials, visit west.thomson.com /westlaw/guides. To search for a phrase, place the phrase in quotation marks.
How to search for books on Westlaw?
If you are looking for a specific book, enter the title in the search box at the top of the homepage. If it is available in Westlaw, the title will appear as a suggestion (Looking for this?). Books on US law can be found by clicking Secondary Sources on the homepage.
How to find pleadings in Westlaw?
When accessing a specific case on Lexis Advance and/or Westlaw, a link to available related documents and court filings will be provided at the top of the page. These links generally include PDFs of dockets, briefs, law and motion pleadings, and orders.
How much does a search on Westlaw cost?
Westlaw suggests billing $99 per search, which price includes all the documents clicked on (unless the document is outside of the plan). This is known as "Westlaw Predictable Pricing".
Westlaw: accessing case law
Can I use Westlaw for free?
Note that California's online regulations and online case law are made available through "free" portals provided by Westlaw and Lexis, respectively.
How to do a people search on Westlaw?
To conduct a Template Search, click the Public Records link located within the Browse options on your Westlaw®homepage. PeopleMap will process the search against the fields submitted by the user when conducting a Template Search on a Public Records Category Page.
How do I find a specific case on Westlaw?
Search by Case Name
Click By Case Name below the Search heading on the left side of the page. The Search by Case Name template is displayed. Type all or part of the case name in the Enter Case Name(s) text box. Note: Add connectors (e.g., and, or, not) to search terms to conduct multiple-word searches.
Can you search Westlaw by judge?
Click into either Cases or Trial Court Orders from the Westlaw homepage. Then select the Advanced link to the right of the search bar to go to the template. 2. Under Document Fields, type the name of the judge into the appropriate box.
How do I search better on Westlaw?
- Running an Advanced Search.
- Type ADV: in front of your search 2. Run a search that includes a proximity connector (/5, /S, /P) or quotation marks 3. ...
- Connectors within parentheses operate first. ...
- *No automatic compound search word feature.
- Connectors of the same type operate from left to right.
How do I search for an article on Westlaw?
You can search for journal articles general subjects or a more specific keywords by entering these in the 'Subject/Keyword' box. You can search for journal articles by any term occurring in the text by entering these in the 'Free Text' box. Select the 'Search' button.
How can I search a book?
Go to Google Books. Search for the title, author, ISBN, or keywords. To search with filters, in the search box, click Advanced search. Learn how much of the book you can see.
Is Westlaw a search engine?
Westlaw WebPlus provides a web search engine with a focus on legal information sites. The Westlaw Litigator website provides access to legal calendaring and other litigation related applications.
Which dictionaries can you search through on Westlaw?
Westlaw UK's Index of Legal Terms contains the three most comprehensive and authoritative legal dictionaries; Stroud's Judicial Dictionary of Words and Phrases, Jowitt's Dictionary of English Law and Osborn's Concise Law Dictionary as well as the Statutory definitions that form part of Westlaw UK Legislation documents.
How to search attorneys on Westlaw?
On Westlaw, use the Advanced Search option after pre-selecting Cases. Then type the attorney or firm's name in the Attorney field.
How do I search by judge on Lexis?
- Select your court from the within drop-down.
- Enter the judge's last name in the Judge field.
- Click Search.
What is field searching in Westlaw?
Field & Segment Searching
Documents in Lexis and Westlaw are divided into individual sections, known as fields or segments. This allows you to search only for words that appear in the specified fields.
How do I find a specific case study?
A good way to locate case studies is to do a keyword search in one or more of the library's databases or try searching using the Everything search in the library website. Try adding case study or case studies to your search. Examples: case study AND environmental remediation.
Does Westlaw have a public records search?
Westlaw PeopleMap is a public records search tool that can help you with client intake, litigation, and asset location. Access to PeopleMap is included in select subscriptions plans. If you don't have access to it, contact your account representative.
How do I find a case on Lexis?
Tip: As a shortcut, you can search by case name by simply entering the two party names separated by a "v." (like: Mapp v. Ohio) and click Search. To retrieve a specific case, enter a valid citation (like: 163 U.S. 537) and choose Citation from the drop-down box. For more options try Edit in Power Search.
How do I search on Westlaw?
Use Terms & Connectors to Refine Searches
Both Westlaw and Lexis use a default Natural Language search, similar to Google's: type a term (keyword), a group of terms, or a question, and press Enter. Results appear ranked for relevancy.
How do I research a case on Westlaw?
On Westlaw, you can retrieve relevant cases with a keyword search or with West topic and key numbers found in a key number digest. Where Do I Find Cases? All cases published in West reporters (as well as many unpublished cases) can be retrieved on Westlaw.
How do I find samples on Westlaw?
Westlaw sample documents can be found on the main page under Content types, then under Forms.