finding tools in legal research
Abridgement case digests are used in the following ways:
1. To find cases with similar facts or dealing with a similar issue
2. Where the topical sources for the subject area are poor
3. To look for cases outside of the data range of the other resources reviewed
4. To ensure nothing is missed
In law source, you can search the abridgement digests by using keywords, to search through the texts of the digests by searching on the classification or by combination of these techniques
You can also research more accurately by use of dates, court levels and jurisdictions
There are a series of steps to be followed if you want to use the print version of the abridgement effectively
1. The first step is to identify the general subject areas in which your topic may be covered. Look up your topic in the key and research guide to find applicable subject headings and classifications which also contains an abridgement overview section that indicates which subject headings fall under broad legal categories. If the term you look up is not used as the subject headings, you will be directed by cross-references to the subject heading
2. Review the table of contents for those subject headings, note the most relevant classifications, using the subject heading and classification numbers or letters
3. If you already know the relevant case, there is a faster way to identify the classification scheme. Look up the case in the consolidated table of case and note the digest reference for the case which is quick but does not review a thorough review of the key
4. Follow the classification scheme from the hardcover main case digest volume to the soft cover main digest supplement, to the monthly softcover issues of the Canadian current law
Canadian current law contains a quarterly cumulative index that uses the words comprising of the classification other than the number and letter code. This index can save you considerable time
1. To find cases with similar facts or dealing with a similar issue
2. Where the topical sources for the subject area are poor
3. To look for cases outside of the data range of the other resources reviewed
4. To ensure nothing is missed
In law source, you can search the abridgement digests by using keywords, to search through the texts of the digests by searching on the classification or by combination of these techniques
You can also research more accurately by use of dates, court levels and jurisdictions
There are a series of steps to be followed if you want to use the print version of the abridgement effectively
1. The first step is to identify the general subject areas in which your topic may be covered. Look up your topic in the key and research guide to find applicable subject headings and classifications which also contains an abridgement overview section that indicates which subject headings fall under broad legal categories. If the term you look up is not used as the subject headings, you will be directed by cross-references to the subject heading
2. Review the table of contents for those subject headings, note the most relevant classifications, using the subject heading and classification numbers or letters
3. If you already know the relevant case, there is a faster way to identify the classification scheme. Look up the case in the consolidated table of case and note the digest reference for the case which is quick but does not review a thorough review of the key
4. Follow the classification scheme from the hardcover main case digest volume to the soft cover main digest supplement, to the monthly softcover issues of the Canadian current law
Canadian current law contains a quarterly cumulative index that uses the words comprising of the classification other than the number and letter code. This index can save you considerable time