Western Libraries

Legal Research

An introduction to resources for Canadian legal research

Canadian Legal Research

Welcome to Legal Research at Western

This guide introduces the key tools and strategies for finding and citing Canadian legal materials — from legislation and case law to scholarly commentary. Whether you’re researching for a class, preparing a moot, or exploring law for the first time, this page will help you get started.


Getting Started with Canadian Legal Research

Step 1: Identify your legal question or topic.

Step 2: Use CanLII, Westlaw Edge, or QuickLaw to locate relevant cases or statutes.

Step 3: Consult commentary in Westlaw Edge Canada or Nexis Uni for interpretation and analysis.

Step 4: Cite everything properly using the Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation (McGill Guide).

Need help? Book a consultation or Ask a Librarian.

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Featured Titles

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The Ultimate Guide to Canadian Legal Research

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Legal Research and Writing