Note: There are minor variations in how the different LIIs implement
the features below. In this Guide, '...LII' refers to the LII you are using
(HKLII, AustLII etc)
[Database Search] (also 'Search Ordinances') limits scope of search to database named at the top of page.
[Act Name Search] (also 'Search Ordinance Titles') limits scope of the search to names of Acts and sections in this database. Search with key words in the title of a known Act and/or section. [On AustLII, only titles of Acts, not sections, are searched.]
[Alphabetical List] (also 'Contents') A-Z list of legislation in the database; browse to desired Act.
Recent Updates List (if available) shows list of most recent Acts added/consolidated
`Last updated: ...' most recent date database was updated on system; does not indicate legislation is consolidated to that date - see [Notes] below.
[Index] goes to front page for the current database (as described above).
[Table] goes to the Act's table of contents, at the entry for this section.
[Search] goes to the Full Search Form.
[Notes] displays notes associated with current Act; amendment histories etc.
[Noteup] searches automatically for all materials on ...LII which refer to this section.
[Previous] goes to preceding section in Act; use for "stepping back" through an Act.
[Next] goes to the next section in the Act; use to `step through' sections of an Act.
[Download] choose ascii or (if available) RTF copy of whole current Act (not single section); if ascii, print or save using normal browser commands; if RTF,
[Database Search] (also 'Search Judgments') limits search to only the current database.
[Case Name Search] (also 'Search Judgment Titles') limits scope of search to titles of cases in current database only.
[Alphabetic List] (also 'Contents') A-Z index of case names, allowing browsing to desired case.
[List of Recent Cases] (also 'Recent Updates List ') displays most recent cases added, by date of the case.
[Index] (also 'Database home page) goes to the front page for current database.
[Search] goes to the Full Search Form.
[Noteup] (if available) automatic search for all materials which refer to the current case.
[Download RTF] (if available) downloads well-formatted copy; otherwise use browser print or save functions to print or save whole case.
| and | page contains both terms | negligen* and defam* |
| or | page contains either of two terms | weapon or gun or firearm or pistol |
| not | page contains 1st term but not 2nd | trust not family |
| near | 1st term is within 50 words of 2nd | disclos* near offence |
| w/n or /n/ | 1st term is within n words of 2nd | court w/5 jurisdiction |
| pre/n | 1st term must precede 2nd term by less than n words | contempt /3/ court |
| ( ) | Always use parentheses if search includes two types of connectors | contempt near (radio or television) |
| n* | Use * for truncation | `negligen*' finds negligent, negligence, negligently etc |
| . | Regular plurals, and singulars, are searched automatically | `firearm' = `firearms' and vice-versa
`treaty' = `treaties' and vice-versa |
Relevance ranking of search results - Search results are displayed
ranked by likely order of relevance of the items found (most relevant items
first). The percentage ranking next to each document shows 100% for the
first document if it contains all search terms, and all following documents
are ranked pro-rata to that document according to number, frequency and
location of search terms contained in the document.
To display results by databases, turn off 'Relevance rank results'
on the Full Search Form.
Modifying searches - The Search Results page always displays your current search (or stored search) at the top of the page, allowing it to be modified and another search run.
`Context' - going to the occurrences of search terms
The `Context' button appears at the top of cases, sections, and treaties
found in a search. Click on the red arrow to go to the first search term,
then forward (or back) on further red arrows to go from one occurrence
of search terms to the next.
Wait
until the whole document has loaded before using the `context'
button ie when the status line at the bottom of the screen says `Document
done'.
Customised selections of databases - On the Full Search Form, you can search over any customised selection of databases by holding down the Ctrl key (Macs - use Apple key) and selecting the name of each database to be searched.
(1) Options in the simple search form on the front page (not the Full Search Form), allow choice of search scope (WordLII and Google options are being added):
(2) Search results invite repeating searches over any of three other 3 collections:
The search results also automatically include at their head the first three most relevant categories in the World Law catalog (and an option to view More), as shown above.
(3) The World Law catalog pages also provide these 4 search options, and also allows restricted scope searches (eg 'Only legislation'): See the Quick Guide to World Law.
Use all 4 search methods for systematic global legal research of free Internet sources.
