How to find a case using Westlaw

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to find a case using Westlaw. It explains how to search for a case by name or citation, how to access the full law report text, and how to find related documents such as linked cases, and journal articles. It also provides tips on variations in case names and shows how to export or save cases and how to set up alerts.

Charlie Brampton
12 steps
2 minutes

Westlaw

Go to <https://signon.thomsonreuters.com/federation/UKF?entityID=https%3A%2F%2Fidp.brookes.ac.uk%2Fidp%2Fshibboleth&returnto=https%3A%2F%2Fwestlawuk.thomsonreuters.co.uk%2FBrowse%2FHome%2FWestlawUK%3FskipAnonymous%3Dtrue>

Near the top left of Westlaw, choose "Cases" then "Cases Search"

To search for a case by its name, use the "Parties" field. Or use the "Citation" field to search for a case citation.

Tip! You can search for a case by either its name or its citation. Sometimes there's variation in how the names of cases are written, particuarly if one of the parties has a long name. This means you may not find it if you search for it by its name. [Learn more about case citations here](https://radar.brookes.ac.uk/radar/file/559c4f41-a60a-409c-9905-ff512a24537d/1/Using%20law%20reports.pdf)

Once you've entered your search terms, click on the "Search" button

If you've searched for a case by its citation, double check that the name matches what you're expecting.

Click "Case Analysis" to see a useful summary of the case.

Down the right of the case analysis you'll see links to the full law report. If there are several links to choose from, click the one at the top.

When reading a case, look for the "Primary References" link down the left hand side. Click on this to see newer cases that refer to your case, and also older cases that your case made reference to.

Click "Commentary References" to see journal articles about this case. Click on "full text" to read any of these articles.

Down the right of a case you can choose to download, print or email the case to yourself.

If you want to come back to this case later, click on the folder icon to save it in Westlaw. [Learn more about using folders in Westlaw](https://scribehow.com/viewer/How_to_use_folders_to_save_documents_for_later_in_Westlaw__Is0V5g1YStmh6fTtfh1udA)

Click on the alarm bell icon to set up an alert e.g. you could choose to receive email notification the next time this case is cited by another case. [Learn how to use alerts in Westlaw](https://scribehow.com/shared/How_to_set_up_alerts_in_Westlaw__uPBEZT7oRcyT7ljzjkVJvg).