Where to find amicus briefs on Westlaw?

1. Click By Decision Date below the Search heading on the left side of the page. ...
2. Select a date using the drop-down lists.
3. Select the desired date range by clicking the appropriate button (e.g., This date only).
4. Type your search terms in the Search for text box. ...
5. Click Search.

How to find a relevant case?

The easiest way to find a case is by its citation - this is a unique identifier for the case. Sometimes, cases will have more than one citation, if they have been reported in different law report series. You can use any of the citations given to find a copy of this case.

How do I find sample documents on Westlaw?

Westlaw sample documents can be found on the main page under Content types, then under Forms. In addition to offering forms by jurisdiction and topic, Westlaw also allows you to find sample documents by publication.

How to find a brief?

You can find free copies of briefs filed in U.S. Supreme Court cases by the Solicitor General. You may find briefs filed in state cases on state court websites. The National Center for State Courts maintains a list of state court websites.

How do I find a Lexis case on Westlaw?

In both Westlaw and Lexis, you access this option by navigating to the Cases page then selecting the Advanced Search option. Note that you do have to navigate to the Cases page first; if you just go to "Advanced Search" from the home page, you won't see the advanced options that are specific to cases.

Why Westlaw is better than Lexis?

Schulke, legal reference librarian for the San Francisco Law Library for over 17 years, says he personally favors Westlaw over other search engines. The reason? “It features more California-specific materials. It's also easier for laypeople to use than Lexis.”

How do you cite an amicus brief?

Identify the properly abbreviated name of the case, reporter, volume and page number where the decision begins, and the year the case was decided. List the citation as follows: Brief for the SEC as Amicus Curiae, p. 19, Wilko v. Swan, 346 U.S. 427 (1953).

Who writes amicus briefs?

Amicus briefs are filed by people who typically take the position of one side in a case, in the process supporting a cause that has some bearing on the issues in the case. The groups most likely to file amicus briefs are businesses, academics, government entities, non-profits and trade associations.

Is an amicus brief considered litigation?

While those filing the amicus brief are not involved in the litigation of the case, they can submit their brief to offer further information, expertise, arguments, or perspectives that can help the court decide in favor of the party which the “amici curiae”—or the group submitting the amicus brief—supports.

Does the Supreme Court read all amicus briefs?

As long as there are new arguments presented, a justice will read the amicus briefs. (C50). Clerks repeatedly emphasized that most amicus briefs filed with the Court are not helpful and tend to be duplicative, poorly written, or merely lobbying documents not grounded in sound argument.

What is available on Westlaw?

Information resources on Westlaw include more than 40,000 databases of case law, state and federal statutes, administrative codes, newspaper and magazine articles, public records, law journals, law reviews, treatises, legal forms and other information resources.

How do you search cases on Westlaw?

Docket lookup using the case citation

Simply “find” the case in Westlaw Edge by typing “find:” followed by the case citation into the global search bar at the top. And if you only need the docket/case number, it will be listed right at the top of the case below the party names.

What is the difference between Westlaw and Lexis citation?

Both West and Lexis offer database citations that are specific to the online version of an opinion. Lexis includes their citation with every display of the case. West, on the other hand, will only display a Westlaw citation until a paper citation appears.

How do I find cases in Lexis?

How to find a brief on Westlaw?

You can also retrieve briefs by using the Briefs page. To display the Briefs page, click Briefs on the All Content tab. Briefs are organized by federal court, by state, and by topic. To search all briefs, type your terms in the tabbed Briefs search box at the top of the page.

How to find a brief on Lexis?

One of the ways to search Lexis is to select the Briefs, Pleadings & Motions content type. On the main Lexis page, the Content Types are listed below the Search Box. You can also narrow your search by picking the jurisdiction and practice area.

Who can file an amicus brief with the Supreme Court?

An amicus curiae brief can be filed in both state and federal appellate courts. Advocacy and public interest groups, trade associations, and other entities may file one of these. So may the government or an interested individual. These briefs should provide useful information to the court.

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 to download cases on Westlaw?

To print, e-mail, download, or save your documents on Westlaw, click a delivery icon in the upper-right corner of a retrieved document or result list. Click the Quick Print icon to print the document or result list you are viewing on an attached printer.

How to find templates on Lexis?

You can use Lexis Automated Templates in your browser on your PC, Mac, iPad, or iPhone. Click Automated Templates on the main Practical Guidance page to view a list of available templates. Use the filters on the left hand side of the screen to narrow your results.