Library

Suggested Strategies for California Research

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CASE APPROACH

(DIGESTS)

CODE APPROACH

(STATUTES)

 

LEGAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

APPROACH

 

If you just know your subject, start with this source to obtain citations to relevant cases:

If you just know your subject, start with these sources to obtain citations to relevant cases and secondary sources:

If you just know your subject, start with these sources to obtain citations to relevant cases, statutes, and secondary sources:

Descriptive Word Index in West's California Digests

(KFC57 W41)

 

See NOTE 1

 

Index to Deering’s California Codes (KFC30)

 

OR

 

Index to West's Annotated CA Codes (KFC30.5 W4)

 

OR

 

Larmac Consolidated Index, (KFC40 L37)

 

See NOTE 3

Index to California Jurisprudence, 3d, (KFC80 C29)

 

OR

 

Index to Witkin, Summary of California Law, (KFC80 W5)

                    

See NOTE 6

If you already have a topic and key number, go to this source to obtain citations:

If you already have a code citation, go to these sources to obtain citations:

If you already have a citation to a legal encyclopedia section, go to these sources to obtain additional citations:

West's California Digests, (KFC57 W41)

 

See NOTE 2

 

 

Deering’s California Codes, (KFC30)

 

OR

West's Annotated CA Codes, (KFC30.5)

 

See NOTE 4

                      

Shepard's California Citations, Statutes

(KFC59 S44)

 

See NOTE 5

California Jurisprudence, 3d (CalJur3d) (KFC80 C29)

 

OR

 

Witkin, Summary of California Law, (KFC80 W4)

 

See NOTE 7    

 

 

CALIFORNIA COURT CASES CAN BE FOUND IN THESE REPORTERS:
 
  • California Reports, 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th. (CA Supreme Court Cases, Call Number = KFC45) – See NOTE  8
  • California Appellate Reports, 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th. (CA Court of Appeal Cases, Call Number = KFC48) – See NOTE 9
  • California Reporter, 1st, 2d, 3d. (CA Supreme Court & Court of Appeal Cases, Post-1959, Call Number = KFC47 .C32)  – See NOTE 10
  • Pacific Reporter, 1st, 2d, 3d. (CA Supreme Court & Court of Appeal Cases, Call Number = KF135 P7) – See NOTE 11
  • Shepard's California Citations, Cases (Call Number = KFC59 S44) -- See NOTE 12

 

 

NOTE 1: The descriptive word index in a West’s digest will point you to topics (abbreviated and in heavy type) and  "key numbers" (these numbers follow each topic and are prefaced with a "key" symbol).  Abbreviations are explained at the beginning of each volume.
 
NOTE 2: Arranges court decisions by subject, using the headnotes from each case, and gives full citations to the cases.  The California digest system consists of two separate digests that cover different time periods.  West's California Digest covers all reported California state and federal cases from 1850-1950.  West's California Digest, 2d covers all reported California state and federal cases from 1950 to present.
 
NOTE 3: References in each of these indexes are to specific codes, such as the California Civil Code or the California Penal Code. You will find that references to specific codes use abbreviations, such as "CC" for the California Civil Code or "PC" for the California Penal Code.  This abbreviation system is explained at the beginning of each volume.
 
NOTE 4: Both Deering’s and West’s contain the of statutes currently in force.  These publications also include extensive annotations immediately after the statutes’ , which list court cases that discuss the statute as well as secondary sources (law review articles, legal encyclopedias, and practice guides) that include discussions of the statute.  While both of these annotated code sets generally contain similar information, the primary and secondary sources listed within the statutory annotations will vary.  It’s usually a good idea to review the annotations in both sets when you’re doing legal research.
 
NOTE 5: The tables supply references to statutory history and to cases that have cited the code section.
 
NOTE 6: References in these indexes are to titles (abbreviated) and sections.  Abbreviations are explained at the beginning of each volume.
 
NOTE 7: Both of these legal encyclopedias provide brief, well-annotated overviews of various legal subjects.  The of each section provides a concise description of the law with annotations to relevant cases and statutes.
 
NOTE 8: Abbreviated Cal. or C., Cal. 2d, Cal. 3d, Cal. 4th.  Contains decisions of the California Supreme Court.  Official.
 
NOTE 9: Abbreviated Cal. App. or C.A., Cal. App. 2d, Cal. App. 3d, Cal. App. 4th.  Contains decisions of the California Courts of Appeal.  Official.
 
NOTE 10: Abbreviated Cal. Rptr., Cal. Rptr. 2d, Cal. Rptr. 3d. This set contains decisions of both the California Supreme Court and the California Courts of Appeal.  Only covers cases decided after 1959.  Unofficial. 
 
NOTE 11: Abbreviated P., P.2d, P.3d. This set contains decisions of both the California Supreme Court and the California Courts of Appeal for cases decided between 1905 and 1959.  After 1959, this set contains only California Supreme Court decisions.  Unofficial.
 
NOTE 12: The tables list citations to all later cases that have cited the reported case.  Any bearing that these later cases may have on the decisions is also indicated (e.g. affirmed, dismissed, overruled, etc.).  Also supplies parallel citations.
 

 

 

Page last updated: March 24, 2008