Massachusetts Case Finding Tools
A Massachusetts-specific secondary source such as Massachusetts Practice or Massachusetts Jurisprudence will provide an overview of the law, and citations to the most important cases. The American Law Reports (A.L.R.), which cover state and federal jurisdictions, are also an important tool for case law research.
Once you have an overview of your topic, find cases by subject using West's Massachusetts Digest and/or full-text databases.
Always remember to update your research by using a citator.
Secondary sources for Massachusetts case law research
Massachusetts Jurisprudence is a legal encyclopedia that provides commentary and background on Massachusetts law, including citations to cases.
Print: Law Massachusetts Collection
Massachusetts Practice covers over 40 areas of law, such as real estate, criminal procedure, etc. Start with the index located at the end of the set.
Print: Law Massachusetts Collection
American Law Reports (A.L.R.) contain annotations that cover very specific areas of law and provide citations to case law in all jurisdictions. This will be very helpful if you are researching an issue that has not been decided by the Massachusetts courts. For a primer on using the A.L.R., see Finding Cases Using the American Law Reports.
Print: Law Pappas Lower (against the wall on the same side as the study rooms)
Lexis: American Law Reports
Westlaw: ALR database
Finding cases by subject
For a detailed guide on using West digests, see Finding Cases Using the West Key Number Digests.
Print: Law Massachusetts Collection
Westlaw: Key Number Service
Lexis: Supreme Court, Appeals Court & Superior Court Cases
Westlaw: MA-CS database
Tools for updating case law
Use Shepard's or KeyCite to update Massachusetts cases.
Shepard's, in print or via Lexis, allows you to update cases.
Lexis: Log on to Lexis. Select the "Shepard's Check a Citation" tab, then type your citation in the appropriate box.
Shepard's Citations Service tutorial
KeyCite, a Westlaw service, also allows you to update cases electronically.
Westlaw: Log on to Westlaw. Type your citation in the "Keycite this citation" box.
Keycite tutorials: Cases or Non Case Law
Page maintained by Raquel Ortiz
Last updated: April 2009