Law Library Guides

This page provides access to a selection of guides which you will find useful when you come to familiarise yourself with the resources we provide access to for the study of law. Some of these will open up in a new browser window and can be worked through online, others can be saved or printed off for you to read in your own time.

Should you be unable to find the guidance you need, are unsure of some of the information provided or have a question about a resource not covered by these guides, please email the Law Librarians or call them on (0117) 328 2840.

• Interactive Guides (e.g. BLIS )
• Resource Books (e.g. LLB Legal Information Resource Book)
• Database Guides (e.g. Westlaw UK, Lexis Library, Lawtel UK)
• Special Subject Guides (e.g. European Union Information, Official Publications, Current Awarness)

Interactive Guides

A series of tutorials to facilitate legal research, aimed at students new to the study of law and legal research. A password is needed in order to access this guide.	A web based interactive guide providing an introduction to the law library and its resources. Includes audio-enabled demonstrations of database searching, and video clips. A password is needed in order to access this guide.

Resource Books

• Undergraduate Legal Information Resource Book (PDF 2.3M ).
  This library resource book supports the LLB undergraduate course. This guide introduces legal literature and outlines the different primary and secondary sources that are used in legal research. This guide also offers help on how to use the library catalogue and the electronic databases Westlaw UK, Lexis Library and Lawtel UK.
• CPE/GDL Legal Information Resource Book (PDF 2.3M ).
  This resource book supports the postgraduate diploma in law course. This guide explains how to use the library catalogue and how to choose the appropriate source to tract down journal articles, law reports and statutes. It also offers help on how to use the electronic databases Westlaw UK, Lexis Library and Lawtel UK.
• Resource Book for Legal Researchers. (PDF 2.5M ).
  This resource book supports research students, for example those who may be studying towards their LLM. This guide explains how to use the library catalogue, how to choose the appropriate source to track down journal articles, law reports and Statutes and offers further information on using a wide range of electronic databases.
• Legal Literature for non lawyers (PDF 670K )
  This resource book is available to provide a brief introduction to legal research and materials for those who are not studying the law as a subject, but who may need to make use of some of the legal materials available.

Database Guides

• EUR-LEX
  Library Guide to using EUR-LEX (PDF ).
  Europa: Simple Guide to using EUR-LEX
  Europa: Expert Guide to using EUR-LEX
• Halsbury's Laws of England
  Library Guide to using Halsbury's Laws of England Online (PDF ).
  Accessing Halsbury's Laws via Lexis Library off campus (PDF ).
• HeinOnline
  HeinOnline Online Training Guides
• House of Commons Parliamentary Papers
  Basic guide to using HCPP information resources
• i-law
  i-law user guide
• Index to Legal Periodicals
  Library Guide to Using the Index to Legal Periodicals (PDF ).
• Kemp on Lawtel UK
  Kemp on Lawtel User Guide (PDF ).
• Practical Law Company (PLC)
  PLC Guide to using its services
  * Please note that UWE does not subscribe to all PLC modules. *

Special Subject Guides

• Guide to Current Awareness Services for Law.
  These law library web pages will provide information on how you can set up your own current awareness services. Use these if you need to keep up-to-date on caselaw, legislation and literature on specific topics or written by specific authors.
• Guide to How to Find a Legal Journal Article. (PDF 56K ).
  
• Searching the Library Catalogue for a Journal.
• Guide to the Frenchay Library Law Collection. (PDF 247K ).
  This guide contains a list of legislative material, law reports and journals held in the law library. The journal list gives the full title of the journal along with its legal abbreviation. These abbreviations can help to interpret a legal citation.
  
• Guide to Information Sources on the European Union.(PDF140K ).
  This guide is divided into two distinct sections. The first gives a brief explanation of the European Union, EU documentation and EU legislation. The second part looks at printed and electronic sources of European information available in the library. There is also a useful list of EU web sites.
• Guide to Official Publications (PDF 32K ).
  A guide to tracing official publications using printed and electronic resources available in UWE libraries.
• Guide to Halsbury's Statutes of England and Wales (PDF 41K )
  A quick guide from the Law Librarians to how to use the printed version of Halsbury's Statutes.
• Guide to Halsbury's Laws of England and Wales (PDF 41K )
  A quick guide from the Law Librarians to how to use the printed version of Halsbury's Laws.