Optimal Search Strategies in Legal Databases: Westlaw

1. “ “  (phrase)
2. or
3. +n      
4.  /n
5. +s
6. /s   
7. +p
8. /p
9. &
10. but not (or %)

• In Westlaw, if two or more connectors are numerical, smaller number is processed first. In Lexis, they are processed left to right.
• If two or more connectors are identical, they will be processed left to right.
• Parenthesis change the order of processing

adv: cat or dog or bird and custody

1. cat or dog or bird = Set 1
2. Set 1 and custody = End result

cat or dog /10 custody /10 contract!

1. cat or dog = Set 1
2. Set 1 /10 custody = Set 2
3. Set 2 /10 contract! = End result

cat or dog /50 custody /10 contract!

1. cat or dog = Set 1
2. custody /10 contract! = Set 2
3. Set 1 /50 Set 2 = End result

adv: cat and dog or bird and custody

1. dog or bird = Set 1
2. cat and Set 1 = Set 2
3. Set 2 and custody = End result

For this one, either dog or bird or both can be in the document. Cat has to be in the document and custody has to be in the document.

adv: (cat and dog) or bird and custody

1. cat and dog= Set 1
2. Set 1 or bird = Set 2
3. Set 2 and custody = End Result

For this one, cat and dog both have to be in the document or just bird. Custody must also be in the document.

Note: adv. To indicate a Boolean search in Westlaw.  If you type in a search with only AND/OR connectors, you must type Advanced: or Adv: in order for it to run as a terms and connectors search, not a natural language search.