Transcript The Topic and Key Number System

The Topic and Key Number System
Headnotes are Assigned to a Topic and
Key Number
• When West receives a slip opinion, a West attorney-editor
reads it and identifies the points of law discussed in the
case.
• Each point of law is summarized in a headnote.
• After a careful analysis of the point of law the headnote
discusses, the headnote is assigned to at least one key
number in the West Topic and Key Number System.
Headnotes and the Topic and Key
Number System
Key Numbers
Headnote
This headnote summarizes a point of law discussed in this case.
The headnote is assigned to key number 90.1(1.2) under Topic 92
(Constitutional Law). The same headnote is also assigned to a key
number under Topic 361 (Statutes).
The Topic and Key Number System is
• the index to the entire National Reporter System
• a comprehensive and detailed outline of the entire body of
case law in this country
• a classification system with a at least one topic and key
number attached to each point of law (headnote)
The Topic and Key Number System allows you to locate
cases with the same or similar legal issues in any
jurisdiction in the United States.
• The approximately 400 topics are arranged alphabetically
and numbered between 1 and 450.
• Each topic addresses a broad legal issue.
• Some topics have been added after
the original 414 topics were assigned
numbers
– See 48A Automobiles and
48B Aviation
• Other topics have been eliminated,
renamed, or reorganized.
(There is no longer a topic 3.)
92 Constitutional Law (Topic)
92V Personal, Civil and Political Rights (Sub-Heading)
92k90 Freedom of Speech and of the Press
92k90.1 Particular Expressions and Limitations
92k90.1(1.2) k. Election Regulations
(Specific Key Number)
• Each topic is broken down into subheadings.
• There can be up to eight levels in the topic and key number
hierarchy.
• This process continues until further breakdown of a point of
law is unproductive and a specific key number is assigned.
See, 92k90.1(1.2) above.
• There are approximately 100,000 specific key numbers.
Topic number 92
Subheading 92k90
Specific Key Number
The intermediate levels of the key number hierarchy
are not present in the print version of this case, but they
permit useful key number searches on Westlaw when the
specific key number needed cannot be identified.
For example, you can search for cases assigned to any
specific key numbers under subheading 92k90.
Question
The Topic and Key Number System is
1.
2.
3.
4.
An index to National Reporter System cases
An outline of American law
A classification system
All of the above
Question
The Topic and Key Number System is
1.
2.
3.
4.
An index to National Reporter System cases
An outline of American law
A classification system
All of the above