tutorials > definitions

Congratulations! You've decided to examine legal research on a deeper level. While the tutorials provide an introduction to the fundamental techniques of research, this definitions section offers insight into the underlying knowledge.

We're always seeking ways to improve and expand this list. If you can't find a term you'd like to understand more completely, please let us know so we can add it. Thanks.

To find a defintion, please click on the appropriate letter or run a search in the box below.

A

ALR
Annotated code
Annotation

B
Bluebook, The
Brief

C
Case
Case law
CD-ROM
Citation
Citator
Code
Common law

D
Decision
Digest
Docket
Docket number

E
Encyclopedia

F
Finding aid
Force and effect of law

G
GULLiver

H
Headnote
Hornbook

I

J

K
Key number
KeyCite

L
Law
Law review
Legal periodical
Lexis
Looseleaf

M
Microform

N
Natural language
Nutshell

O
Official source
Opinion
Ordinance

P
Parallel citation
Periodical
Pocket part
Popular name table
Practice guide
Primary source

Q

R
Regulation
Reporter
Restatement

S
Secondary source
Session law
Slip law
Slip opinion
Statute

T
Term of art
Terms and connectors
Treatise

U
Updating
U.S. Code

V

W
Westlaw

X

Y

Z