These instructions were written for using Fastcase Premium database in HeinOnline. There are other methods of finding case law at other libraries; this is the only source Doane library provides for case law.
Find Cases by Citation
Enter the citation into the search box at the top of the page. Select the "Citation:" search from the drop-down that appears below the search box.
Find Cases by Litigant/Party Name
Although much case law is referred to by citation, sometimes you may only have the names of the litigants, i.e., parties, in the case. For this situation, type the names of the litigants into the search boxes for Search Fastcase Premium and change the drop-down options to "Party."
Find Cases by Keyword or Subject
- This search strategy can result in hundreds or thousands of hits, so it isn't the best method of finding a case.
- If you choose to use it, select the appropriate type of search from the drop-down menus in Search Fastcase Premium and enter your terms. (Refer to the "Searching and Citation Look-up" tab on the Fastcase Premium Libguide page for more helpful tips.)
Note: It's usually a little easier to consult secondary sources, such as encyclopedia and law review articles, to find cases on a particular subject. Once you have the legal citation and/or litigant names you can then search for the primary sources.
Find Related Cases
Begin with a case of interest. Choose a headnote (in blue) of interest from within that case by clicking on the linked citation.
Find Cases Citing a Case
- Find the case to which you would like to find citations. Click on "Cited by n Cases" in the upper right corner.
- Alternatively, find the case to which you would like to find citations. Click on a headnote of interest. On the page of this case, click on the "Scholar Check" icon above the contents and select "Cited by n Cases."
