![Go to the digest and look up that topic
and key number [Libel & Slander, key
number 1] …
to find a list of controlling cases
that deal with that point of law
[Nature and elements of
defamation in general]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/introtodigests-130603122007-phpapp01/85/Intro-to-digests-9-320.jpg)
Intro to digests
- 2. Digests organize thousands of cases and millions of points of law by subject • If you know what point of law you’re looking for, you can go straight to a digest
- 3. Different publishers=different systems • The West digests have been the industry standard for many years • Lexis has developed its own version • This presentation uses the Illinois Digest 2d by West • Let’s look at two ways to find information: • 1 - Use the index OR • 2 - The “One good case” method
- 4. Use the index The index helps you identify correct terminology
- 5. Use the index And helps you identify subtopics
- 6. Remember, if you’re sure about your search terms, you can go right to the volume you need
- 7. The “One good case” method • If you can find a case in a case reporter on the correct topic, you can use the headnote or topic and key number (found at the beginning of the text) which corresponds to your point of law • Then you look at this topic in the print digest (or in Westlaw)
- 8. Here’s our “one good case” from the North Eastern Reporter Headnote #6 identifies the topic “Libel and Slander” and key number 1. After you read the paragraph, and you decide this is the point of law you need….
- 9. Go to the digest and look up that topic and key number [Libel & Slander, key number 1] … to find a list of controlling cases that deal with that point of law [Nature and elements of defamation in general]
- 10. Summary • Digests organize cases and points of law by subject • Use the index if you don’t have good search terms • Use headnotes/topics & key numbers if you’ve found that “one good case” • Digests are not just for case law; they contain references to secondary sources, too: • ALR (American Law Reports) • Legal encyclopedias • Law reviews