A newsletter from West providing Westlaw® search tips for corporate counsel and staff

Question: Do I have to select permissible uses each time I search public records?

Answer: No. You can now set your permissible uses as defaults for all your searches. After you set your permissible uses defaults, whenever you return to a search template, the permissible uses are already selected in their respective drop-down lists. The end result: a smoother and more streamlined research experience.

Note: It is still the case that in order to search for particular types of information in databases such as People Records–Combined (PEOPLE-ALL) or Driver's License–Wallet Data (DLWALLET), you need to specify one or more permissible uses required under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Driver's Privacy Protection Act, or state voter registration regulations. But now you have to specify them only once.

There are three ways to set a permissible use default:

• Database search template: A Keep this selection as my default check box is now displayed next to each permissible use drop-down list on applicable search templates. To set a permissible use default, select a permissible use from a drop-down list and then select the check box next to the list.
• People Finder Report: Keep this selection as my default check boxes are also displayed next to the permissible use drop-down lists on the tabbed People Finder Report page. To set a permissible use default, select a permissible use from a drop-down list and then select the check box next to the list.
• Westlaw preferences: Click Preferences at the top of any page, then click Public Records in the left frame. Select permissible uses in the right frame using the drop-down lists and click Save Changes.

A default setting lasts for six months or until you change the setting, whichever occurs first.