Law
- Overview
- Resources by type
- Resources by subject
- Legal abbreviations
Top databases
AGIS Plus Text : AGISPT
Covering all aspects of Australian law, and an authoritative collection for primary legal research in comparative and Commonwealth law. Includes articles, reports, and books from Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region, plus selected material from the United Kingdom, U.S. and Canada starting from 1999. Recommended for: journal articles Search help
AustLii
Free access to Australasian legal materials, including including legislation, decisions of courts and tribunals, and treaties. Articles from law journals and law reform commission reports are among secondary materials. Recommended for: cases - legislation - journal articles - treaties - law reform publications.
CaseBase via Lexis Advance
LegalTrac via Gale
Indexes law reviews, legal newspapers, bar association journals and international legal journals. Includes some Australian content and some full-text articles
HeinOnline
Full-text legal journals and other legal documents predominantly US, also includes major international publications and some Australian Law reviews. Also includes English Reports, Full Reprint (1220-1865) and US Reports (1754 - 2007) Recommended for: journal articles - cases - legislation - treaties You may not download or print more than 200 pages per session Searching 101 Creating email alerts
Lexis+ Australia
Previously named "Lexis Advance". Access cases, legal commentary, journals, CaseBase (case citator), Halsbury's Laws of Australia and the Encyclopaedic Australian Legal Dictionary. Recommended for: cases - case citator - commentary - encyclopaedia - dictionaries - legislation - journal articles Note: It’s recommended to change browser settings to accept cookies to avoid authentication errors
Lexis Advance (US & International)
Full text legislation, caselaw, journal articles primarily from the U.S., also including Europe, U.K and Australasia. Recommended for: cases - commentary - legislation - journal articles Note: It’s recommended to change browser settings to accept cookies to avoid authentication errors
Westlaw Australia
Westlaw Australia is a major Australian legal database that provides access to key authorised law reports (CLR, FCR and NSWLR), unreported judgments, commentary, journal articles, and The Laws of Australia legal encyclopaedia. Please note: Westlaw AU has switched to a new platform. For instructions on how to use the new Westlaw Australia platform, check out these guides and training videos. If you have any questions, please Contact a Librarian
Westlaw (International)
A source of legal information for non-Australian jurisdictions, Westlaw (International) provides access to legislation, cases and journal articles from the US and other jurisdictions, including Europe, UK, Canada, Hong Kong and NZ. For Westlaw's Journals and Law Reviews, select the World Journals tab at the top Recommended for: cases - commentary - legislation - journal articles
Visit the Law Library
The Herbert Smith Freehills Law Library has study spaces, computers, books and friendly library staff to help you succeed.
Visit the Law Library
The Herbert Smith Freehills Law Library has study spaces, computers, books and friendly library staff to help you succeed.
Learn about
Legal Research Foundations
Our Legal Research Foundations Canvas modules will help you develop the information searching skills you need when researching law, such as how to:
- - find and cite primary and secondary legal material (journal articles, books, law reform reports)
- - understand what case law is and how to find it
- - effectively search legislation using search operators and connectors
- - use the Library catalogue and relevant online law databases.
The modules are self-paced, so you can do them at your own speed and return any time you need a refresher.
Legal Research Foundations
Our Legal Research Foundations Canvas modules will help you develop the information searching skills you need when researching law, such as how to:
- - find and cite primary and secondary legal material (journal articles, books, law reform reports)
- - understand what case law is and how to find it
- - effectively search legislation using search operators and connectors
- - use the Library catalogue and relevant online law databases.
The modules are self-paced, so you can do them at your own speed and return any time you need a refresher.
Enrol in Legal Research Foundations
Understanding legal sources
Identify different types of information and appropriate sources for your study or research
AGLC4 referencing
The Australian Guide to Legal Citation 4th edition (AGLC4) is a comprehensive guide to citing Australian primary and secondary legal materials.
Understanding legal sources
Identify different types of information and appropriate sources for your study or research
Learn about understanding legal sources
AGLC4 referencing
The Australian Guide to Legal Citation 4th edition (AGLC4) is a comprehensive guide to citing Australian primary and secondary legal materials.
Learn about AGLC4 referencing
General legal sources – primary and secondary sources
HeinOnline
Full-text legal journals and other legal documents predominantly US, also includes major international publications and some Australian Law reviews. Also includes English Reports, Full Reprint (1220-1865) and US Reports (1754 - 2007) Recommended for: journal articles - cases - legislation - treaties You may not download or print more than 200 pages per session Searching 101 Creating email alerts
Lexis+ Australia
Previously named "Lexis Advance". Access cases, legal commentary, journals, CaseBase (case citator), Halsbury's Laws of Australia and the Encyclopaedic Australian Legal Dictionary. Recommended for: cases - case citator - commentary - encyclopaedia - dictionaries - legislation - journal articles Note: It’s recommended to change browser settings to accept cookies to avoid authentication errors
Lexis Advance (US & International)
Full text legislation, caselaw, journal articles primarily from the U.S., also including Europe, U.K and Australasia. Recommended for: cases - commentary - legislation - journal articles Note: It’s recommended to change browser settings to accept cookies to avoid authentication errors
Westlaw Australia
Westlaw Australia is a major Australian legal database that provides access to key authorised law reports (CLR, FCR and NSWLR), unreported judgments, commentary, journal articles, and The Laws of Australia legal encyclopaedia. Please note: Westlaw AU has switched to a new platform. For instructions on how to use the new Westlaw Australia platform, check out these guides and training videos. If you have any questions, please Contact a Librarian
Westlaw (International)
A source of legal information for non-Australian jurisdictions, Westlaw (International) provides access to legislation, cases and journal articles from the US and other jurisdictions, including Europe, UK, Canada, Hong Kong and NZ. For Westlaw's Journals and Law Reviews, select the World Journals tab at the top Recommended for: cases - commentary - legislation - journal articles
Case law sources
CaseBase via Lexis Advance
ICLR.4
Provides access to authorised UK cases, including The Law Reports and Weekly Law Reports. The Citator+ function provides information on a case’s history, judicial consideration and current status.
Legal abbreviations guide
Access an A-Z list of common legal abbreviations. The guide sets out where to find specific law reports, collections of unreported judgments and journals. Recommended for: cases - journal articles
Legislation and parliamentary sources
Capital Monitor
Provides Federal and State parliamentary, political, legislative, regulatory and judicial news and information almost as soon as it is available. Full coverage of Australian Parliaments, government departments, agencies, courts and key stakeholders in public policy. Includes news transcripts. Recommended for: legislation - news
Federal Register of Legislation
The authorised website for Commonwealth legislation. Access Acts and Regulations (in force, point-in-time and as made) as well as Bills and EMs (1996- ). Recommended for: legislation
NSW Legislation
New South Wales Parliament - Bills
Free access to NSW Bills, Explanatory notes and Parliamentary Debates. Recommended for: legislation
Parliament of Australia – Bills section
Free access to Commonwealth Bills, EMs and Parliamentary Debates. Recommended for: legislation
Encyclopaedias and dictionaries
Halsbury's Laws of Australia
Statements of legal principle covering all jurisdictions in Australia. Browse categories or sub-categories or search by legal principle, keyword, phrase, case or legislation. Updated by Australian Current Law: Reporter. Recommended for: legal encyclopedias
The laws of Australia
States the principles of Australian law. Recommended for: legal encyclopedias Accessible by staff and currently enrolled students only
International law – primary and secondary sources
Australian Treaties Library via AustLII
The Australian Treaties Library includes treaty texts, indexes, status lists, and explanatory material. Material is provided by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
Oxford Public International Law
Oxford Public International Law (OPIL) is a comprehensive, single location providing integrated access across the Oxford international law resources. Access to Oxford Reports on International Law, the Max Planck Encyclopedias of International Law, and Oxford Scholarly Authorities on International Law.
United Nations Law Collection via HeinOnline
Includes the United Nations Treaty Series, International Court of Justice, Reports of Judgments, Advisory Opinions and Orders, and Reports of International Arbitral Awards.
Secondary sources – general
AGIS Plus Text : AGISPT
Covering all aspects of Australian law, and an authoritative collection for primary legal research in comparative and Commonwealth law. Includes articles, reports, and books from Australia, New Zealand and the Asia Pacific region, plus selected material from the United Kingdom, U.S. and Canada starting from 1999. Recommended for: journal articles Search help
LegalTrac via Gale
Indexes law reviews, legal newspapers, bar association journals and international legal journals. Includes some Australian content and some full-text articles
World Journals - Westlaw (International)
Climate & energy law
OGEL : Oil, Gas & Energy Law
A peer-reviewed academic journal covering all aspects of law pertaining to oil, gas, and energy in general.
Commercial arbitration & trade law
Kluwer Arbitration
Registration requiredRegistration is required for off-campus access. Please go to the “Kluwer Arbitration” database record in the Library Catalogue for registration instructions: https://sydney.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61USYD_INST/1c0ug48/alma991001875299705106. This resource provides content for international arbitration research. It contains commentary from expert authors and an extensive collection of primary source materials, ICC cases and awards.
Investment Arbitration Reporter
A news and analysis service tracking investor state dispute settlement (ISDS) arbitration claims, concentrating on arbitrations between foreign investors and their host governments launched under investment protection treaties. It includes reports on the very latest legal pleadings, decisions and arbitral awards, as well as policy developments.
Investment Claims
Arbitral awards, Arbitral decisions, OPIC decisions, and Court decisions (including English translations of key portions of non-English decisions); Books; Journal and yearbook articles; Investment treaty overviews; National legislation; Multilateral and bilateral investment treaties; Arbitral rules; relevant Guidelines and Conventions.
Criminology and criminal law
Australian criminology database (CINCH)
Crime, Punishment, and Popular Culture, 1790-1920
Crime, Punishment and Popular Culture contains trials transcripts, police and forensic reports, detective novels, newspaper accounts and true crime litarature. Between the period if 1790-1920 For more information on text & data mining
Criminal Justice Abstracts with Full Text
A comprehensive collection of U.S. and international criminal justice journals covering essential areas related to criminal justice and criminology.
Evidence law
Cross on Evidence
Covers the civil and criminal law of evidence in all Australian jurisdictions. Recommended for: commentary - legislation
Uniform Evidence Law via Westlaw Australia
A practical guide to the NSW and Commonwealth Evidence Acts. Recommended for: commentary - legislation
Human rights law
Human Rights Documents Online
Temporary outageContains human rights documents from 483 non-governmental human rights organizations (NGOs) worldwide, some of which have a universal scope, whilst others focus on the attainment of human rights in a specific area of the world.
Intellectual property law
Searchable Networked Intellectual Property Electronic Resource (SNIPER)
Covers issues in intellectual property such as patents, trade marks and designs, copyright, plant breeder's rights and domain names. Some full text is available online
Labour law
Professional practice & court practice
Riley Solicitor's Manual via LexisNexis AU
Includes relevant legislation and commentary on the regulation of the legal profession, professional responsibility and ethics for solicitors. Recommended for: commentary - legislation
Ritchie's Uniform Civil Procedure NSW via LexisNexis AU
This service is essential for anyone who practices civil litigation in NSW. It covers all tiers of court procedure, providing expert annotation of legislation as well as comprehensive practice material. Recommended for: commentary - legislation
Tax law
Checkpoint
Access Australian tax legislation, commentary, ATO rulings, treaties and the Australian Tax Reports (ATR).
IBFD : Tax Research Platform
To access this database, please choose to “sign-in” with your university email address under the Single Sign On option. IBFD is a major database of materials on tax and related matters. It includes leading journals on international tax issues and loose-leaf services providing detailed country-specific tax information. Also includes access to RIA Worldwide Tax & Commercial Law. IBFD Tax Research Platform Guide
Bloomberg Tax
Registration requiredAccess to Bloomberg Tax will remain available until the end of April 2025, after which it will no longer be accessible. New registrations will not be accepted during this time. Bloomberg Tax provides tax and business regulatory systems of some 40 countries, as well as an overview of the European Union, USA international taxation, and transfer pricing portfolios. Also includes Tax Guides, Tax treaties, News & commentary.
Legal history
The Making of Modern Law. Legal Treatises, 1800-1926
Fully searchable legal treatises comprising over 21,000 works from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries on British Commonwealth and American law. These include casebooks, local practice manuals, books on legal form, works for lay readers, pamphlets, letters, and speeches. Also cross-searchable with other archives via Gale primary sources - analyze content using frequency and term-relationship tools.
The making of modern law. Primary sources
Cover nearly every aspect of American and British law and legal traditions of Europe, Latin America, Asia and other jurisdictions, both classic and contemporary. For more information on text & data mining
The Making of Modern Law. Trials, 1600-1926
Based on holdings of the law libraries of Harvard and Yale, and the Library of the Bar of the City of New York, the product offers online access to these important collections. Recommended for: cases Also cross-searchable with other archives via Gale primary sources - analyze content using frequency and term-relationship tools.
Migration, immigration & citizenship law
Ritchie's Uniform Civil Procedure NSW via LexisNexis AU
This service is essential for anyone who practices civil litigation in NSW. It covers all tiers of court procedure, providing expert annotation of legislation as well as comprehensive practice material. Recommended for: commentary - legislation
Border and Migration Studies Online
Border and Migration Studies Online provides historical context and resources, representing both personal and institutional perspectives, for the growing fields of border(land) studies and migration studies, as well as history, law, politics, diplomacy, area and global studies, anthropology, medicine, the arts, and more.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal resources
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources (University Library: Featured Collection)
This collection highlights some of the material held within our Library, that are either by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, or cover Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander topics. Try searching for ‘law’ or other related topics in the search bar.
Australian Indigenous Law Library (AUSTLII)
Resources include: Royal Commission reports, Case Law, Legislation, Law Reform Reports, Treaties and International Agreements
“Two justice systems working together: Report on the Recognition of Local Aboriginal Laws in Sentencing and Bail” (NT Law Reform Committee 2020)
“Recognition of Aboriginal customary laws” (Australian Law Reform Commission: 1986)
Indigenous Collection via Informit
Offers a variety of content on both historical and topical issues within Indigenous studies. Includes material from Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, North America and The Pacific.
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