Legal Research

New WestLaw Database Available

By srepinski

From the West Librarian’s Relations Newsletter 9/2/2009

Words and Phrases, New Westlaw Database

Words and Phrases is a West publication that contains judicial definitions of words and phrases from both state and federal courts. This information was previously available on Westlaw, but only via searches in caselaw and statutes databases using the ?WP? field. Librarians have frequently requested a separate database and now one is available.

On August 24, a new WORDS-PHRASES database was released that permits searching of words and phrases, without using the caselaw or statutes databases. The new database contains more than 1 million judicial definitions and references from published and unpublished opinions of state and federal courts, including almost 70,000 historical references that have not previously been available on Westlaw. New judicial constructions and interpretations will be promptly added as they become available from the courts.

The WORDS-PHRASES database provides a user-friendly template making it easy to run a search: Just type a term in the text box and, if desired, use one or more check boxes to restrict your search by jurisdiction. Or in the alternative, you can use the Terms and Connectors or Natural Language search method. Each result will be a judicial definition, found in a headnote, with a link to the full text of the opinion and Key Number (where available). Definitions may pertain to statutory language, court rules, administrative regulations, or business documents, among other sources. Each definition contains a citation from the court that provided the definition.

To access the WORDS-PHRASES database, enter ?words-phrases? as your database identifier or navigate from the Directory to Directories and Reference Materials and then, General Reference.

Happy Searching

(post-SSR)

Full post as published by Cocky Law Blawg on September 03, 2009 (boomark / email).