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Database Guide
Westlaw
This Database contains primary and secondary legal materials from the US, Canada, European Union, Hong Kong and United kingdom. Includes full text articles from law journals and reviews.   Automatic access onsite. Access from home requires your student ID number and Library PIN.
To start
Go to Databases and Ejournals page
 http://w2.vu.edu.au/library/databases/westlaw.html
Connect to  Westlaw.
Quick Search

Type your keyword(s) in the search box labeled Search for.  (See Boolean operators and other search tips table)

Tick the box adjacent to the database under the heading In the following database(s)

Click GO.
Boolean operators and other search tips
Operators Examples Meaning
And = & misrepresent and negligence
misrepresent & negligence		 Document contains both terms
Or = space Weapon or gun or firearm
weapon gun firearm		 Document contains either term
" " = phrase "goods and services act" Phrase is enclosed by quotation marks
/s = Same sentence negligence /s employer /s injury Terms occur in the same sentence in any order.
+s = Precede in the same sentence circumstances +s mitigat! Terms occur in the same sentence in the exact order specified
/p = Same paragraph copyright /p breach /p covenant Terms occur in the same paragraph in the any order
+p = Precede in the same paragraph "cause of action" +p plagierise! Terms occur in the same paragraph in the exact order specified
/n = Unordered proximity Unfair /3 competition /20 software Terms occur in any order within the number of words specified
+n = Ordered proximity "fiduciary relationship" +3 spouse Terms occur in the exact order within a number of words specified
% = Not possession /p drug! % heroin  Term to the right of this connector will be eliminated
! neglig! Retrieves negligent, negligence, negligible
*

fea*t  retrieves feast but not feat.
object***

Represents 1 character.
Retrieves object, objects, objected, objective, objection, objecting but not objectionable

#

#damage
Retrieves damage but not damages.



To retrieve perm but not permanent, type #perm.

 Westlaw automatically retrieves plurals when you enter the singular form of a term. You can turn off plurals of a particular term by placing the # symbol in front of the term.

Placing the # symbol in front of a term also turns off the automatic retrieval of equivalencies.

Search by Citation

 

 
A case or journal article can be searched by entering its
citation in the text box under Find by citation.
Locating articles by databases
Enter the name of the database you wish to search in the text box under Search these databases.  For example, Cleveland State Law Review
Then click Go.
Tick the box adjacent to the database.  Then Ok
At the database specific search screen, enter your keywords.
(See Boolean operators and other search tips table)
Select the field you wish to search. Eg. Title field
You can restrict to dates
International Directory
Click on International Directory to burrow down to the most appropriate resource to search within.
Result

KC Citing Ref and KC History are features of KeyCite which provides the following editorially-created information:

-Direct appellate history of a case, negative indirect history of a case, citing references to cases on Westlaw that have cited a case.
Print/Email Documents

You can print/Email documents by clicking on the Print Doc button.

To print
Select Attached printer (via Word) as current destination to print.
Click on Send Request

To email
Select Email option as current destination
Click on Properties to enter the email address to send the article.
Click on Send Request

 
 

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