Legal research can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with hundreds of cases, obscure legislation, or conflicting commentary. But mastering online legal databases is one of the most valuable skills you can develop as a law student—and it's a crucial foundation for your academic success and future career.

Whether you’re writing a case note, preparing for a mooting competition, or just trying to make sense of new legislation, online legal databases are your gateway to reliable, up-to-date information. This blog post offers a practical tutorial on using key legal research platforms effectively and staying informed in a fast-moving legal world.

Gone are the days of spending hours leafing through dusty law reports. Modern legal databases offer:

  • Instant access to UK and international case law
  • Up-to-date statutes and amendments
  • Journal articles, commentary, and legal encyclopaedias
  • Tools to track changes in the law
  • Citation support and search filters

However, these benefits only come with good technique. Knowing how to search can be just as important as knowing what to search for.

1. Westlaw UK

What it offers:

  • Extensive UK case law, legislation, journals, and commentary
  • Tools like “Case Analysis” and “KeyCite” to check authority and history
  • Practical Law for practice-focused materials

Tips for using it:

  • Use quotation marks for exact phrases: e.g. “duty of care”
  • Use filters by jurisdiction, document type, or court level to narrow results
  • Try the “Overview Document” for a digestible summary of complex legal areas

Bonus: Westlaw offers research certifications—ideal for your CV.

2. Lexis+ UK (formerly LexisLibrary)

What it offers:

  • UK and EU law, Halsbury’s Laws of England, and extensive journal databases
  • Encyclopaedia entries and forms useful for practical assignments

Tips for using it:

  • Start with Halsbury’s for a broad overview of any legal topic
  • Use the “Legislation Tracker” to see how statutes have changed over time
  • Bookmark key documents to create your own research folders

Bonus: Look for LexisNexis’ “Lexis Learn” training modules to deepen your skills.

What it offers:

  • Free access to UK, Irish and some Commonwealth case law and legislation

Tips for using it:

  • Use it for quick access when you’re off-campus or don’t have subscription access
  • Remember that BAILII doesn’t include headnotes—so you’ll need to analyse cases yourself

Note: Always double-check citations; BAILII doesn’t always reflect the most current edits or reported judgments.

4. JustisOne (now vLex Justis)

What it offers:

  • Visual tools for tracking case relationships
  • Strong support for international case law and historical judgments

Tips for using it:

  • Great for comparative research or historical cases not available on Westlaw or Lexis
  • Use the “Cited By” function to see how judgments have been applied in later cases

Keeping on top of current legal changes is just as important as finding past cases. Here's how to stay informed:

Subscribe to Updates

  • Westlaw’s Current Awareness tool lets you track new cases and legislation in your area of interest
  • LexisNexis Alerts can notify you when specific statutes or cases are updated
  • Use government websites (e.g. legislation.gov.uk or gov.uk) to monitor new Bills and consultations
  • UK Supreme Court blog, Law Society Gazette, and UK Human Rights Blog offer insightful analysis
  • Legal Twitter (yes, it exists) is a great place to follow barristers, solicitors, academics, and reporters who break down major decisions in plain English

Set Aside Time Weekly

  • Schedule 30 minutes each week to scan legal newsletters or check for updates in your practice area—this habit builds real professional awareness

Research Tips for Success

  • Start with secondary sources (e.g. legal encyclopaedias or textbooks) to build your foundation before diving into case law
  • Keep a research log: noting what search terms worked (and didn’t) can save hours next time
  • Use legal citation guides like OSCOLA when storing references
  • Ask your law librarian: they’re an underused but invaluable resource for research support

Using legal databases isn’t just about finding information—it’s about understanding how the law evolves, how to verify authority, and how to think critically about legal sources. The ability to conduct clear, efficient, and accurate legal research is a skill you’ll use far beyond your degree.

The sooner you master these tools, the more confident and capable you’ll become—not just as a student, but as a future legal professional.

What’s your go-to research strategy? Share your favourite tips or tools with the Student Bytes community—we’re always looking to learn from one another.