Updating using Keycite via Westlaw

To Keycite a case in Westlaw, you can start from a found case or you may directly Keycite a case.

  • To start from a found case, click on the Keycite symbol next to the citation to the document.
  • To go directly to Keycite, click on the Keycite link found under the tabs at any Westlaw screen. Type in the citation for the case to be updated.

When you invoke Keycite, you will be taken to the History screen for your case. There are two types of history in Keycite:

  • Direct history traces your case through the appeals courts.
  • Negative indirect history includes cases outside the direct history of the case that might have a negative impact on the validity of your case.

On the left side of your screen, you will see a link for Citing References, which lists other cases and legal materials that cite your case. Citing References to your case can be positive or negative, thus strengthening or weakening your case. Citing references include depth of treatment symbols to indicate how extensively the later authority refers to your case. In addition, Keycite provides the HN designation to refer you to the headnote(s) where the later case discusses the legal issue(s) for which your case was cited.

When updating a case, you may find hundreds or even thousands of citing references. At the bottom of your screen you will see a menu "Limit KeyCite display". You may limit your citing references by one or more of the following:

  • Headnotes --Find cases that have cited to your case for a legal issue as it appeared in a West headnote.
  • Locate --Search the text of citing references.
  • Jurisdiction --Federal, state, or a combination
  • Date --Exact date, date range, before a date, or after a date.
  • Document Type --Cases, secondary sources, or administrative materials.
  • Depth of Treatment --Refine results by using Keycite depth of treatment symbols.

For more information on Keycite:

Page maintained by Raquel Ortiz
Last updated: August 2006