Frequently Asked Legal Research Questions

This guide aims to answer questions frequently asked of the staff at the Inner Temple Library. The sources suggested are not intended to be exhaustive. Rather they are sources that the staff have found to be most useful and which are likely to be found in a chambers library or a public library with a law collection. The sources include free web-based sources, hard copy materials and subscription-based databases.  Details of the coverage of the subscription-based databases and other web sites can be found at the end of this guide.   

Please note that the subscription-based databases mentioned are available for use in the Inner Temple Library by members of the Inns of Court only. These databases cannot be accessed remotely because of restrictions in our licence agreements. Members of the public are advised to contact a public reference library to enquire if these databases are available locally.

The whole of this guide is also available as a PDF here (Adobe Acrobat Reader required).

Researching Public Acts

How do I find when an Act has come into force?

How do I check if an Act has been amended?

How do I find an Act if I only have the citation?

How do I find an Act that has been repealed?

How do I find a Local Act?

Researching Statutory Instruments

How do I find an SI by title?

How do I find an SI if I only have the citation?

How do I find what SIs have been made under an Act?

How do I find the commencement date for an SI?

Researching UK Case Law

What is a neutral citation?

How do I find the full judgment of a case?

How do I track the judicial history of a case?

How do I find cases that have cited a particular piece of legislation?

Database Coverage

What are the coverage dates for databases and web sites?