Legal Research Basics: Methods of Finding Cases: Using Headnotes, Key Numbers, and Digests

The West Key Number System is a case-finding tool in print and electronically.  There are two ways to use this system in Westlaw: from the headnotes of a case or by browsing the key numbers.

One Good Case Method - Using Headnotes from a Case to Find Similar Cases

• Once you find a case you like, read the headnotes that come at the beginning of the case and identify the headnote(s) most relevant to your issue.
• Create a custom digest by clicking on a topic or key number link - this will show you a list of all cases that fall under the same topic and key number.
• You can manipulate this custom digest by choosing a different jurisdiction at the top of the page.

Subject Searching - Browsing the West Key Number System

• In the Browse box, click the Tools tab; select West Key Number System
• Options: (a) Search the West Key Number System from the search bar at the top or (b) browse the list of 450 topics
• Once you get down to a digest document (a listing of cases that fall under a specific topic and key number), you can change the jurisdiction (at the top) and search within results to narrow your list of cases

The digest system is a product of West, but Lexis has created a similar system of headnotes that function much the same way as the West topic and key numbers.

One Good Case - Using Lexis Headnotes to Find Similar Cases

• From a case you like, locate the Lexis Headnotes at the beginning of the case, and find the one(s) that most pertain to your research question.
• Look at the listing of topics and sub-topics above your headnote; click on the topic or sub-topic of most interest to you
• Options: Get topic Documents or View in Topic Index
• Topic Document - this is similar to looking at a digest document in WestlawNext; you will first be shown a list of cases under this topic, which you can narrow by jurisdiction or by searching within results; but you can also look at other types of legal materials that fall under this topic by selecting them from the tabs at the top (ex: select Legis to find statutes that fall under this topic)
• Topic Index - this is similar to browsing the West Key Number System; you are presented with an expandable tree of legal topics, which you can search in the provided search bar at the top of the tab or browse
• Note: There is also an option to Create an Alert - this will send you emails when new documents are added to this topic in Lexis Advance

Browse Topics - Subject Searching and Browsing in Lexis Advance

• Click the Browse Topics option at the top of the Lexis Advance home page
• You see the topic index for Lexis Advance; you can either search with the search box provided or browse through the list of top-level topics.
• When you get down to a sub-topic (at which point you cannot expand any further down), you will be presented with the option to Get Topic Documents (see above under One Good Case), Add this Topic to the Search (adds it to the main search bar), Favorite this Topic (appears in your list of Selected & Favorite under the main search bar), or Create an Alert (get emails when new documents are added to this topic)