Topic and Key Numbers Research

1. Topic and Key Numbers Research

2. Using the Print Digests to Find Relevant Cases • You have found a case with a relevant headnote and assigned key number • Go to a print digest set covering the appropriate jurisdiction and find the volume covering that topic, then find the specific key number • All headnotes (digest paragraphs) from all cases discussing the point of law assigned to that key number are listed along with citations to the cases Using a key number found in a case

3. Using the Print Digests to Find Relevant Cases Topic Analysis Browse the topic list at the beginning of any Key Number digest volume to select a relevant topic.

4. Using the Print Digests to Find Relevant Cases Topic Analysis Broad analysis Detailed analysis Each topic in a digest set has an Analysis section, providing both broad and detailed outlines of the topic.

5. Topic Analysis Subjects Included and Subjects Excluded Lists in the Digests • Many legal topics overlap in subject content. • At the beginning of every new topic in the print digest, there are scope notes that explain which subjects are included and which are excluded. • The Subjects Excluded list directs you to the digest topic under which those subjects are covered. • These lists also appear in the Scope information on Westlaw.

6. Using the Print Digests to Find Relevant Cases Descriptive Word Index Each digest set includes a Descriptive Word Index. Specific words and phrases lead to relevant key numbers.

7. Using the Print Digests to Find Relevant Cases Descriptive Word Index Most descriptive words fall into one of five categories of elements common to every case: • Parties or facts • Places and things • Issues or basis of action • Defenses • Relief sought

8. Descriptive Word Index • Example: John Landlord failed to replace a light bulb in the hallway of one of his apartment buildings. Jane Tenant failed to see a step and fell down a flight of stairs. She is suing John for damages. • You might start by checking in the Descriptive Word Index under landlord, tenant, negligence, apartment, common area, or premise liability. At least one of these entries will probably lead you to key numbers in cases that discuss the same or similar issues.

9. West’s Analysis of American Law list all the topics and the specific key numbers with the title given to each key number Constitutional Law, Topic No. 92 90.1—Particular Expressions and Limitations (1.2) Election regulations This publication also contains Subjects Included and Subjects Excluded sections for each topic. West’s Analysis of American Law

10. Using Key Numbers to Find Relevant Cases on Westlaw Using a key number found in a case • After conducting a word search on Westlaw, you find a relevant case with an on-point headnote. • You can use the key number assigned to this headnote to retrieve other cases discussing the same point of law. This is the most common way of finding relevant key numbers on Westlaw.

11. Using a key number found in a case to create a Custom Digest. …and retrieve all headnotes assigned to that key number, creating a Custom Digest. 92k90.1(1.2) Most Cited Cases By clicking a relevant key number or the Most Cited Cases link, you can run a key number search through a database …

12. A Custom Digest contains the digest paragraphs assigned to that key number in the selected jurisdiction. • Each headnote links to its corresponding case. • You have created a CustomDigest of all headnotes assigned to 92k90.1(1.2) in the Eighth Circuit.

13. Access the Key Numbers and Digest service using the More drop-down list on the toolbar. Using Key Numbers to Find Relevant Cases on Westlaw Using the topic list to create a Custom Digest Key Numbers & Digest • Scroll down the list of topics • until you find one you want • to explore..

14. Click the plus symbols to expand the topics and see subheadings. Expand subheadings if necessary. When you find a relevant key number, type it into text box or check the box beside it and click GO … Using Key Numbers to Find Relevant Cases on Westlaw Using the topic list to create a Custom Digest Search 92K90.1(1.2)

15. You can run a key number search in the headnote database of your choice. You can restrict by date or add terms for a customized result. Using Westlaw to Find Relevant Cases Using the topic list to create a Custom Digest Databases Add Terms Date

16. A Westlaw Search Using a Key Number • In either a • case law (reporter) or • headnote (digest) database • Using Terms and Connectors searching • When you have a topic and key number, simply enter it as your query: 92k90.1(1.2) The “k” makes this a unique term. You will retrieve only documents containing the key number term.

17. Westlaw Search for Relevant Key Numbers and Cases • in either a • case law (reporter) or • headnote (digest) database • using Terms and Connectors searching • Known topic but unknown key number: to(92) /p campaign /s contribut! /s speech • Unknown topic and unknown key number: di(campaign /s contribut! /s speech)

18. Question Which of the following statement(s) is true? • The most common method for using a key number to find cases is to work from a key number in a relevant case. • The Descriptive Word Index is a Westlaw dictionary service. • There are no similarities between the print digests and the Westlaw headnote databases. • Both 1 and 3.

19. Question Which of the following statement(s) is true? • The most common method for using a key number to find cases is to work from a key number in a relevant case. • The Descriptive Word Index is a Westlaw dictionary service. • There are no similarities between the print digests and the Westlaw headnote databases. • Both 1 and 3.