Legal research

Welcome to the Law guide

This guide provides a starting point for accessing the many resources available for Law.

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Having problems logging into Lexis Advance?

There appears to be an intermittent problem with logging into Lexis Advance. This has been reported to Curtin’s Digital Technology Solutions. Until this is fixed you should be able to successfully log in by changing your web browser. If this does not resolve the problem please get in contact with us at LibraryResearchSupport@curtin.edu.au. We apologise for this inconvenience.

Library Service at Curtin Law School, Murray Street campus

Law students studying at 57 Murray Street can access their textbooks from the Curtin Graduate School of Business (CGSB) Library which is across the road from the Curtin Law School, Murray Street.

To learn more about this library download the Library Services for Curtin Law School, Murray Street campus brochure [PDF, 1.8MB]

Lexis Advance webinars for Curtin Law students

The following LexisNexis webinars are available for Curtin students to register.

Module 1: Foundations of Legal Research

This 60 minute session provides an orientation to Lexis Advance along with introductory tips that will increase research efficiency. Learn how to make the most of the big red search box and quickly narrow down your search results. Discover search strategies for finding cases, legislation, and encyclopaedic works and the value of each content type.

Dates and times offered:

  • Wednesday 1 March 2023 at 1.00pm AWST
  • Thursday 6 March 2023 at 6.00pm AWST
  • Tuesday 21 March 2023 at 3.00pm AWST

Module 2: Developing Research Efficiency

This 60 minute session shows you how to work more efficiently using Lexis Advance. The focus of the session will be on refreshing existing knowledge, improving efficiency on Lexis Advance through specific advanced search forms, a look into the impact of Boolean connectors on searching, and collaboration and automation tools. We strongly recommend that you have completed Module 1 before you undertake this training.

Dates and times offered:

  • Friday 10 March 2023 at 12.00pm AWST
  • Monday 13 March 2023 at 6.00pm AWST

Module 3: Strategic Research Skills

This 60 minute session will show you how to effectively map out a search strategy before you begin your search. This will reduce the amount of time you spend researching. The session will focus on a four-step process that can be used for all online research and a structure that can be used to document the research you’ve undertaken. We strongly recommend that you have completed Module 1 and 2 before you undertake this training.

Dates and times offered:

  • Monday 13 March 2023 at 10.00am AWST
  • Monday 27 March 2023 at 6.00pm AWST

Module 4: Practical Guidance vs Analytic Content and the value of each

This 60-minute session will provide you with an understanding of the layers of practical and analytical material you can use depending on the practice area and complexity of the issue you are dealing with. The session will have a mind mapping approach, where attendees drive their own learning through facilitation. We strongly recommend that you should have completed Modules 1 and 2 to get the full benefits of this webinar.

Dates and times offered:

  • Monday 27 March 2023 at 12.00pm AWST
  • Tuesday 28 March 2023 at 6.00pm AWST

A recording of the webinars will be posted on the Resource tile on the Lexis Learning platform at the completion of the program.

You will also have the option to complete an online quiz for each module. By watching a live webinar and passing the quiz you will be able to earn a series of badges.

How to register:

  • Go to the Lexis® Learning platform: https://learning.lexisnexis.com.au/
  • Click on the Register button
  • Please provide your Curtin email address
  • Please enter the following Registration ID: 22AUACD01WB01 (this is for jurisdiction Western Australia)
  • Click on the Submit button. You will then need to create a username and password.
  • You will also be sent a confirmation email**. Please note that until you have confirmed your account, you are not registered on the site or enrolled in the course.
  • Once your account has been confirmed, login to Lexis® Learning with your username and password. The Effective Research Skills course will appear on your dashboard.
  • Click on the ‘Click here to start’ tile
  • Check the box on the right hand side of the screen to confirm you have read and agree to the terms and conditions.
  • Go to the module(s) you wish to enrol in and click on the date you would like to attend.
  • Fill in the registration form to complete the process.

Are you going out on placement? Did you know that Curtin Library’s subscription content can only be used for study and research, and not for commercial purposes. This means you will not be able to use Curtin Library’s subscriptions for the business purposes of your placement however there are many free online legal resources that you can use.

Free online legal resources [PDF, 306kB]

Get your free subscription to Jade Professional!

Jade offers a paid subscription service to Jade Professional which provides you with advanced legal research tools such as visualisations of case law and legislation, email alerts, document checking to confirm and analyse your citations, and the ability to share and collaborate online.

Curtin law students are eligible for a free subscription to Jade Professional. Using your Curtin email account simply email help@jade.io to request this. If you have any problems please email the Faculty Librarian, Law on LibraryResearchSupport@curtin.edu.au

Help guides, tutorials and webinars