Westlaw tips for associates

Thanks to the Search for Key Numbers tool, you have a hassle-free way to retrieve key numbers assigned to cases in your jurisdiction. You can even use this tool to retrieve a list of jurisdiction-specific headnotes classified under a key number simply by clicking that key number.

But what if no cases containing that key number exist in your jurisdiction? No problem.

As of April 2008, a Search for Key Numbers result contains key numbers from cases in the jurisdiction you selected plus as many as 10 additional key numbers from cases in other jurisdictions. The key numbers from these cases are in a new section called Additional Results from All Jurisdictions. As with the key numbers from your jurisdiction, you can click one of the additional key numbers to retrieve a list of headnotes and links to the full-text opinions. In addition, a Search for Key Numbers result now contains a ResultsPlus list that includes references to American Law Reports (ALR®), American Jurisprudence 2d, and other analytical materials.

Bottom line: You can use this tool to retrieve relevant case law that might persuade a court—even in the absence of binding precedent.

Example
Suppose your client was injured by a foul ball while watching a baseball game in South Carolina and you need relevant judicial opinions on liability. Access the Search for Key Numbers tool (click Key Numbers at the top of any Westlaw page), type liability for foul ball injuries to spectator in the text box, select South Carolina as the jurisdiction, and click Search.

You retrieve key numbers from South Carolina cases, followed by several more key numbers from other state and federal jurisdictions. One of these additional key numbers is 315Tk109(2): Public Amusement and Entertainment > Injury from game, performance or activity > Balls, bats and pucks. Click the key number to retrieve a list of headnotes and links to the full-text opinions from other jurisdictions.

In addition, you retrieve a ResultsPlus list that includes a link to the ALR annotation Liability to Spectator at Baseball Game Who Is Hit by Ball or Injured As Result of Other Hazards of Game.