Case in Point: Research examples from the Law Library
Can you please recommend a UK case citator?
A solicitor contacted the Library recently to ask for a recommendation for a UK case citator. We could not give her just one! Read on for a list of the UK case citators we use in the Library, with key features highlighted.
Vlex
Perhaps not as well known as the other citators on this list, this hidden gem is the go-to UK case citator for some of our librarians.
It is a comprehensive citator, linking to similar cases, and even has a precedent map - a visualisation tool that shows how the case and connected cases relate to each other.
One of Vlex’s most helpful features is that it shows you not only judgments it owns or that are free online, but also directs you to other publisher databases, helping you locate the version you need.
Access Vlex free onsite at the Supreme Court Library.
LawCite
You may know LawCite from AustLII or BaiLII. This free international case citator provides parallel citations, and links to free online judgments.
One of its best features is that it can help you quickly establish how a UK case has been treated in Australian courts.
The citation table is easily sorted by clicking the heading title, letting you customise the view to suit your needs.
Access LawCite free online.
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ICLR
The Incorporated Council of Law Reporting (ICLR) is the only online source of authorised UK law reports.
Authorised law reports, going back to 1865, include the Queen’s Bench, King’s Bench, and Appeal Cases. These reports are the preferred version for handing up in court.
ICLR has other law reports in full text too, including general and specialised reports. It also lets you browse cases by legal topic, publication, and court.
Access ICLR free onsite at the Supreme Court Library.
Lexis UK and Westlaw UK
Both Lexis and Westlaw have UK products that contain not just cases, but also commentary and legislation.
These secondary resources and legislation are excellent for expanding your research.
Access Lexis UK and Westlaw UK free onsite at the Supreme Court Library.
So which one do you use?
Ideally, you would check at least two citators, to ensure you don’t miss any citations. If you need a specific law report, you may go directly to only one. If you have a citation but can’t easily find it, sometimes you will need to check all of them.
And that’s how we answered the request for a UK citator recommendation.