The Public Library of Law

The Public Library of Law calls itself the world’s largest online database of free law, and if you are working for a firm this summer, or after graduation, that doesn’t have access to Lexis or Westlaw, you might find it useful. It not only brings together free materials from across the web, but it has also added hundreds of volumes of case law that had previously been available only by subscription. There is no cost, but you do have to register in order to access the case law.

The database provides Appellate and Supreme Court cases for all 50 states from 1997 to the present, all Federal Circuit Court cases from 1950 to the present, and all U.S. Supreme Court cases. For older cases, links are provided to paid content on Fastcase, an online subscription service. Searching case law is like searching the web - type your search terms into a search box, and a list of results will appear. Boolean searching is allowed, and "Advanced Options" allows you to limit your search by jurisdiction and/or by date. The site also provides links to the statutes, constitutions, and court rules from all 50 states, and the regulations from selected states. Links to the U.S. Code, the Code of Federal Regulations, and the Federal court rules are also provided.

J. Fusaris