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Getting started
This library research guide introduces Canadian sources of law, as well as referencing with the Canadian guide to uniform legal citation. This style of legal citation is commonly referred to as the "McGill Guide".
Explore this guide for recommended starting and access points such as databases and websites.
Many of the resources on this guide can also be accessed through these other library research guides.
Canadian law databases
- CanLII This link opens in a new window
CanLII is a free resource which provides access to court judgements, tribunal decisions, statutes and regulations from all Canadian jurisdictions.
Help resources:
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- Quicklaw (Lexis+ Canada) This link opens in a new window
Quicklaw is now available on the Lexis+ Platform.
Canadian legal research database which provides court decisions from all levels, news reports, provincial and federal statutes, journals, and other legal commentary. Includes a case citator and case digests.
Help Resources
- Westlaw International This link opens in a new window
Full text access to case law, statutes, reports, journals and law reviews with a focus on United States of America.
Searching Westlaw International defaults to United States content only.
To find Canadian content:
- select 'International Materials' from the home screen
- select 'Canada' under 'Jurisdiction'
- choose a resource type to browse (e.g. Cases), or search those resources, or,
- use the search box at the top of the screen for all Canadian content.
Introductory and helpful resources
- The Canadian Legal Research and Writing GuideBased on The Best Guide to Canadian Legal Research, written and published online by Catherine Best. She started it in 1998. The site grew out of her experience teaching legal research and writing, and her conviction that a process-based analytical approach was needed. She was also motivated to help researchers learn to effectively use electronic research tools.
View more to see Table of Contents
Canadian law resources
