Conduct Effective Legal Research Online

1. Define Your Research Question

Clarify Objectives

• Before diving into research, clearly define the legal issue you are addressing. Ask yourself:

• What specific legal question am I trying to answer?

• What are the relevant facts of the case or issue?

​

Identify Keywords

• Break down your issue into keywords and phrases. Consider synonyms and related terms to broaden your search. For example, if researching "contract law," you might also use "contractual obligations," "breach of contract," or "enforceability of contracts."

• Example: If your research question is about the enforceability of non-compete clauses in Hong Kong, your keywords could include:

  • "non-compete clause"

  • "enforceability"

  • "employment law"

  • "Hong Kong"

​

2. Utilize Reliable Legal Research Databases

Hong Kong Legal Resources

• HKLII (Hong Kong Legal Information Institute): A free resource providing access to legislation, case law, and legal commentary. Use the search bar to enter keywords or browse by topic.

• Westlaw Asia: A subscription-based service offering comprehensive legal resources. Check if your law school provides access. Use its advanced search features to filter results by jurisdiction or document type.

• LexisNexis: Another subscription service with extensive legal materials. Familiarize yourself with its tools for searching case law and legal articles.

​

International Resources

• Google Scholar: Use this for academic articles and case law. Filter results by jurisdiction to find relevant materials. For instance, searching "Hong Kong contract law" can yield useful academic papers.

• HeinOnline: Excellent for accessing law journals and historical legal documents. Check if your institution provides access.

​

3. Conduct Searches Strategically

Boolean Operators

• Utilize Boolean operators to refine your searches:

• AND: Narrows your search (e.g., "contract law AND Hong Kong").

• OR: Broadens your search (e.g., "contract law OR commercial law").

• NOT: Excludes terms (e.g., "contract law NOT tort law").

​

Advanced Search Options

• Many databases offer advanced search features. For example, in Westlaw Asia, you can filter by date, jurisdiction, or document type to find the most relevant results.

​

Citation Searches

• If you have a relevant case or article, use its citation to find related documents. For example, if you find a landmark case on non-compete clauses, look for cases that cite it to see how it has been applied in subsequent rulings.

​

4. Evaluate and Analyze Your Sources

Check Authority

• Ensure the source is credible. Look for published works by recognized authors or reputable organizations. For instance, articles from established law journals or publications by legal experts are generally reliable.

​

Consider Currency

• Verify that the legal information is up-to-date. Laws can change rapidly, so always check the publication date. For example, if researching recent changes to employment law, ensure your sources reflect the latest amendments.

​

Relevance

• Assess whether the information directly addresses your legal issue. Avoid getting sidetracked by unrelated materials. For example, if your focus is on non-compete clauses, prioritize sources that specifically discuss their enforceability in Hong Kong.

​

5. Organize Your Findings

Create a Research Log

• Document your search process, including keywords used, databases accessed, and relevant findings. This helps track your progress and refine your searches.

• Example: Your research log might include:

• Date of search

• Database used (e.g., HKLII, Westlaw)

• Keywords entered

• Summary of findings

​

Summarize Key Points

• For each source, note the key arguments, legal principles, and citations that may be useful for your case or project. This will make it easier to reference them later.

​

6. Utilize Online Legal Research Guides

Law School Resources

• Many law schools provide online legal research guides tailored to specific courses or legal topics. Check with your institution’s library for these resources.

​

Professional Organizations

• Organizations such as the Law Society of Hong Kong often provide resources and guides on legal research practices. Their website may have useful links to research tools and best practices.

​

7. Keep Ethical Considerations in Mind

Citing Sources

• Always provide proper citations for the legal materials you use. Familiarize yourself with citation styles relevant to your work in the legal clinic.

​

Avoid Plagiarism

• Ensure that you attribute ideas and information correctly to respect intellectual property rights and maintain academic integrity. Use quotation marks for direct quotes and provide citations for paraphrased ideas.