Search
Use the main search box to search across every type of material indexed on JustCite. When searching JustCite, it is crucial to remember that JustCite is an index – it contains information about legal documents, not the documents themselves. That means that there are essentially 3 approaches to searching JustCite:
- 1. By document name;
- 2. By citation; or
- 3. By catchword.
1 and 2 are useful when you already know which document you want. 3 is useful when you want documents on a particular area of law.
Running a Search
To run a search, type the name of a document, a citation or one or more keywords in the box and click on the magnifying glass. JustCite will take you to the Results screen which will display a list of any documents matching your search. If there is only one match, you will be taken straight to the information page for the matching document.
Predictive Search
JustCite will suggest possible searches as you type. This is useful when you can remember only one of the parties to a case, or only part of the title of a piece of legislation. When searching by catchword, it can also suggest additional catchwords which may help to make your search more targeted.
The search box is pervasive; it will appear at the top of every page within the JustCite service. So, there is no need to return to the Home page to modify your search or to start a new search.
Common Names
The search box also allows you to find well known documents by their common name. For example, typing UCTA will bring up the Unfair Contract Terms Act, typing spycatcher case will bring up Attorney General v Guardian Newspapers (No 1), and typing MAD Directive will bring up Directive 2003/6/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2003 on insider dealing and market manipulation (market abuse).
Spelling Variations
When searching by document name or catchword, JustCite will try minor variations of your search if what you actually entered returns no results. This is useful for situations where there is more than one legitimate spelling of a party’s name, or of a catchword. For example, typing vaughan v mackenzie will still find Vaughan v McKenzie.