Gavin Howe
Westlaw is a legal research platform that provides an extensive collection of online databases of state and federal statutes, legislative histories, regulations, administrative rulings, published case opinions, and court documents. It is available at many law libraries, including the University of Akron Law Library and the Trial Court Law Libraries in Massachusetts. Access to Westlaw at law libraries may be restricted to academic or educational purposes only, with some libraries offering free access to the public. Westlaw employs generative AI and a Key Number System to facilitate efficient legal research, offering insights on judges, courts, attorneys, and case types to enhance case strategies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Access | Available to the public for free at all 15 Trial Court Law Libraries. Access is available onsite only. |
| Usage | Students can use it solely for educational purposes directly related to their coursework at Law School or for bar preparation purposes. Students get 60 hours of usage per month. |
| Restrictions | Students cannot use Westlaw when working for a law firm or other employer. |
| Features | Users can access publications covering various law-related topics authored by judges and legal professionals, including news and magazine articles, legal guides, law reviews, and journals. |
| Search | Offers natural language and advanced search options. |
| Tools | Thomson Reuters CoCounsel, Practical Law, Key Number System, KeyCite, and generative AI capabilities. |
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What You'll Learn
Westlaw access at law libraries
Westlaw is a legal research platform that provides an expansive collection of online databases of state and federal statutes, legislative histories, regulations, administrative rulings, published case opinions, and court documents. It is a powerful tool for legal professionals, law students, and researchers. Westlaw is accessible at many law libraries, offering individuals the opportunity to utilise its extensive resources for their legal inquiries.
At the University of Akron Law Library, Westlaw is available for free to patrons. The library provides Westlaw access on two terminals near the circulation desk during its staffed open hours. Students at the University of Akron can also opt for "Grad Elite" access, which grants them 60 hours of usage per month to enhance their legal knowledge and prepare for their bar exams. It is important to note that students generally cannot use Westlaw for commercial purposes or when working for an employer.
Similarly, the Trial Court Law Libraries in Massachusetts offer free access to Westlaw to the public. Individuals can visit any of the 15 Trial Court Law Libraries to utilise Westlaw onsite. This accessibility enables legal professionals, students, and the general public to conduct legal research efficiently.
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Thomson Reuters Westlaw tutorials
Westlaw by Thomson Reuters is a legal research platform that offers comprehensive legal research and accurate, up-to-date information. It provides access to primary and secondary law, a granular subject classification system, and a best-in-class citator, KeyCite. Westlaw also offers background history on legal professionals and companies.
- Using the Key Number System: This tutorial teaches users how to use the West Key Number System, which assigns topics and key numbers to legal issues within a case. It helps users quickly locate cases related to specific legal topics and issues.
- Checking Case Status with KeyCite: This tutorial demonstrates how to use KeyCite on Westlaw to check the status of a case.
- Westlaw Precision: This tutorial provides instructions on using the Westlaw Precision home screen. It guides users through selecting the desired jurisdiction and searching for specific jury instructions.
- Westlaw Edge: This tutorial helps users navigate the Westlaw Edge home screen and conduct research on firms, attorneys, agencies, and practice areas.
- Understanding Procedural History: This tutorial explains the importance of understanding the procedural history of a case and demonstrates how to use the History tab on Westlaw to gain this understanding.
- Using Black's Law Dictionary: This tutorial encourages users to utilize Black's Law Dictionary on Westlaw to understand unfamiliar legal terms and decode cases effectively.
These tutorials are typically offered through law libraries or academic institutions, providing students and legal professionals with the necessary tools to conduct efficient legal research using Westlaw. It is important to note that access to Westlaw may be restricted to academic purposes only, as outlined in permissible use policies by certain libraries.
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Westlaw permissible use policies
Westlaw is a legal research service that provides online access to a vast collection of legal information and resources, including case law, statutes, regulations, legal articles, and more. It is commonly used by lawyers, legal professionals, and law students for legal research and preparation.
The permissible use policies for Westlaw vary depending on the specific library or institution providing access. For example, at the University of Akron Law Library, Westlaw access is provided through a subscription based on the number of enrolled law students. Students can generally only use Westlaw for academic purposes and cannot use it when working for a law firm or employer. However, there are exceptions, and students can refer to the Permitted Uses of Lexis and Westlaw information for clarification.
Similarly, at Villanova University Law School, Westlaw access may be restricted for researching personal background information. Users must declare whether they have no permissible use or limited permissible use under applicable federal laws, such as the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA). The nature of the relationship with the person being researched determines the permissible use category.
In some cases, Westlaw access may be provided through specific programs or subscriptions, such as the "Grad Elite" program, which offers a certain number of hours of usage per month for educational and non-commercial purposes. This access is intended to help individuals build their legal research skills and prepare for exams like the bar exam. It is important to note that using Westlaw in situations where one is billing a client or for commercial purposes is typically not permitted under these programs.
Violating the permissible use policies of Westlaw can have consequences, including loss of access privileges and potential contractual and ethical violations. It is important for users to familiarise themselves with the specific permissible use policies of the institution or program providing Westlaw access to ensure compliance and avoid any misuse.
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Westlaw research capabilities
Westlaw is a legal research platform provided by Thomson Reuters. It offers a comprehensive collection of primary and secondary legal sources, allowing users to conduct efficient and accurate legal research. Westlaw is available in different versions, catering to diverse needs and budgets.
One of Westlaw's key research capabilities is its advanced search functionality. It enables users to search, filter, and browse by topic quickly. The platform employs generative AI and precise search technology to help users find relevant cases and legal information faster. It also provides the ability to search for specific points of law within cases and identifies related cases that are often cited together.
Westlaw also utilizes the West Key Number System, which assigns topics and key numbers to corresponding legal issues. This system allows users to locate cases related to specific legal issues efficiently. It also offers KeyCite, a citator tool that helps users verify the status of cases and ensure they are relying on good law.
Another feature of Westlaw is its integration with Practical Law. This feature provides users with access to thousands of how-to guides, templates, and checklists across various practice areas. It also includes federal, state, and local programs, as well as tax planning and compliance resources. Westlaw offers software that centralizes supply chain data, enabling users to optimize operations, collaborate with partners, and generate accurate reports.
Additionally, Westlaw provides data-driven insights on judges, courts, attorneys, law firms, damages, and case types. It helps users enhance their case strategies by identifying authorities that may have been missed or contradicted by opposing positions. Westlaw also offers document analysis tools, such as Quick Check, which uses AI to verify the accurate use of quotations.
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Westlaw's Key Number System
Westlaw is a legal research tool that can be accessed at many law libraries. For example, the University of Akron Law Library offers free Westlaw Patron Access, while the Vanderbilt Library provides 60 hours of usage per month. The University of Cincinnati Law Library also offers tutorials on how to use Westlaw.
Westlaw uses the West Key Number System, a master classification system of U.S. law, to organize cases by corresponding legal issues and topics. The system was created by West Publishing over 100 years ago and has transitioned well into the digital world. It allows users to quickly and efficiently locate cases related to a particular legal issue and topic.
The West Key Number System works by assigning a topic and key number to each legal issue within a case. There are over 400 topics and more than 98,000 legal issues indexed in the system. For example, the key number 349k28 refers to the topic of Searches and Seizures (349) and the issue of abandoned, surrendered, or disclaimed items (k28).
To use the Key Number System, the first step is to find an applicable Key Number. This can be done by browsing by topic on the Westlaw homepage or by using the search bar. Once a relevant Key Number is found, users can search within that number using the search box on the left or look in a different jurisdiction using the Change link. The system also works in conjunction with headnotes, which are summaries of specific points of law addressed in a case. Headnotes are numbered, so users can click on the number to go to the spot in the text where the issue is discussed or click on the corresponding number in the text to go back to the headnote.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Westlaw is available at the University of Akron Law Library and all 15 Trial Court Law Libraries in Massachusetts.
Yes, at the University of Akron Law Library, Westlaw is available on two terminals near the circulation desk during staffed open hours.
No, Westlaw is restricted for academic use only at the University of Akron Law Library. At Trial Court Law Libraries in Massachusetts, Westlaw is available to the public for free on-site.
Misusing Westlaw can result in losing your privileges to use it as a student. A pattern of violations could lead to the vendor cancelling the library's contract, affecting all students and faculty.
