How to search for something in Westlaw?
Asked by: Vinnie Cassin PhD | Last update: December 18, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (43 votes)
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 you search on 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 do I search cases in Westlaw?
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 do I search for a definition in Westlaw?
- WP([insert term]) This searches the Words and Phrases field of a case or statute, which will contain definitions, this search won't work for secondary sources.
- Defin! OR Mean! ...
- Term OR Word OR Phrase +1 [insert term]
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 to search Westlaw
How do I search for a record in a form?
Open the table or form, and then click the field that you want to search. On the Home tab, in the Find group, click Find, or press CTRL+F. The Find and Replace dialog box appears, with the Find tab selected. In the Find What box, type the value for which you want to search.
How do I 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.
Is there a dictionary on Westlaw?
Accessing Legal Dictionaries
Black's Law Dictionary is the most commonly used law dictionary in the United States. The newly published 12th edition (2024) is available in Westlaw and is also available in print in the Law Library's reference section on the 3rd floor at KF 156 .
How do I search by judge on Westlaw?
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 find samples on Westlaw?
Westlaw sample documents can be found on the main page under Content types, then under Forms.
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 search by key number on Westlaw?
Key numbers are found on the Westlaw homepage and at the beginning of most cases. To use the key numbers, follow the key number links from within a case or search/browse the list of all key numbers from the homepage. One way to locate relevant cases is to start from the key numbers within a case.
How do you search for a phrase in a paragraph?
Hold the Ctrl keyboard key and press the F keyboard key (Ctrl+F) or right-click (click the right mouse button) somewhere on the article and select Find (in this article).
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.
How do I search for synonyms in Westlaw?
- On the Westlaw. Edge. homepage, select. ...
- Enter one or more search terms in the search field under. All of these terms. ...
- Select. Add synonyms and related concepts to your Terms & Connectors search. ...
- Select one of your search terms and choose. Synonyms. ...
- Use the checkboxes to add terms to your search.
- Select. Search.
How do I find articles on Westlaw?
You can take keywords from the title or the author, and search for them in the new Westlaw interface. The article title you entered should appear on the first page of results.
How do you find definitions in Westlaw?
On Westlaw, look under "Definitions" or "Words & Phrases" in the statutory index to find citation for all words that have been defined by statute in that jurisdiction.
How do I find a Westlaw cite?
Step 1: Click on the "Citing References" tab to view all citations to an article. Step 2: The citing references are sorted by type of content. In addition to seeing which law journal articles cite to the article, you can also view other legal materials such as cases and court documents that cite to the article.
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.
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.
Does Westlaw have people search?
PeopleMap on Westlaw | Legal Solutions
Using PeopleMap, you can locate your subject, search records, including asset and adverse filing records, learn about connections between your subject and other individuals, and compile ...
Which command is used to search a record?
Answer: SELECT query is used to find records from a table.
What is a record search?
A public records check is essentially all information out there about you. For example Bankruptcy /divorce/criminal record /traffic fines /birth /deaths /marriage (s)/Employment/search for friends /education .
How to make a search query in Access?
Select Create > Query Wizard . Select Simple Query, and then OK. Select the table that contains the field, add the Available Fields you want to Selected Fields, and select Next. Choose whether you want to open the query in Datasheet view or modify the query in Design view, and then select Finish.