Journal Articles
Law journals and reviews provide critical commentary, policy analysis, and scholarly discussion of emerging legal issues.
Use them to explore how the law is interpreted, challenged, and applied in academic and professional contexts.
Best Databases for Legal Scholarship
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HeinOnline: Law Journal Library – Comprehensive full-text access to over 2,400 law and law-related periodicals, including Canadian Bar Review, Osgoode Hall Law Journal, and McGill Law Journal.
Search by title, author, or topic.
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Index to Canadian Legal Literature (ICLL) – The most complete index of Canadian legal scholarship, including journal articles, books, and government publications.
Excellent for identifying key commentary on Canadian law.
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Nexis Uni – Includes select full-text law reviews and legal periodicals, plus international coverage.
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Omni – Search “Everything” to include interdisciplinary databases like JSTOR and Academic Search Complete.
Research Tip
Finding the right terms: Use controlled vocabulary or subject headings (e.g., “Criminal law—Canada” or “Indigenous rights—legal status”) for precise results.
Combining terms: Use Boolean connectors:
Charter AND privacy | corporate liability OR directors | “environmental assessment” AND Canada
Access note: Western students have full-text access through library subscriptions. Off-campus login required.
Recommended Journals (Canadian Focus)
- Canadian Bar Review
- University of Toronto Law Journal
- Osgoode Hall Law Journal
- Queen’s Law Journal
- McGill Law Journal
