{"panels":[{"content":{"params":{"text":"

CanLII has a very basic subject classification system, which uses artificial intelligence to apply a broad category to every case in its database.<\/p>\n\n

To access this filter:<\/p>\n\n

Conduct a keyword search.<\/li>\n\t
Navigate to the \"Cases\" tab in your results.<\/li>\n\t
Use the \"All subjects\" filter to select one or more areas of law.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
The available subjects are more limited than Westlaw and Lexis. <\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"ca9c9265-bd75-4e0e-91ae-563ca47bac1f","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"CanLII (AI-assigned subjects)"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
Westlaw's subject classification system breaks each legal subject area into thousands of specific legal issues.<\/p>\n\n
The system is linked throughout Westlaw's platform, but you can find it in two main ways:<\/p>\n\n
1. Browse through the different categories under \"Legal Topics\" on the homepage.<\/li>\n\t
2. Conduct a case law search and use one of these two filters available from your results page (note: if these filters are not showing up for you, make sure you have selected \"Cases\" as your content type):\n\t
  - \"Subject Area\" filter for high level categories (e.g. Administrative Law)<\/li>\n\t\t
  - \"Abridgment Classification\" filter for specific legal issue categories<\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n\t<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n
    You can also use subject-based searching in Westlaw starting from within a case. If you have found a useful case, look for a table with \"Related Abridgment Classifications\" to find out what issue labels have been applied, and follow the link to find additional cases on that issue.<\/p>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"bda90b3d-b4af-4dea-8040-48698ce06411","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Westlaw (Canadian Abridgment\/Legal Topics)"},{"content":{"params":{"text":"
    Like Westlaw, Lexis' subject classification system breaks each legal subject area into specific legal issues.<\/p>\n\n
    You can find it in two main ways:<\/p>\n\n
    1. Conduct a case law search and use the \"Legal Topics\" filter from your results list.<\/li>\n\t
    2. Browse through the different categories by accessing the entire classification system. From the Legal Research homepage, click on \"Case Summaries\" followed by \"All Canada Digests\". From there you can browse the different headings under each digest. Note that the documents in this database are digests<\/strong> (case summaries), so you will have to click through to view the full text of each case.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n"},"library":"H5P.AdvancedText 1.1","subContentId":"d05b3ea6-b59c-40dd-a20b-7df6fe3f8d5a","metadata":{"contentType":"Text","license":"U","title":"Untitled Text"}},"title":"Lexis (Canada Digest\/Legal Topics)"}],"hTag":"h3"}

Subject-Based Searching in CanLII, Westlaw, and Lexis

Description

Erica Friesen