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Westlaw: How to use Westlaw: Westlaw UK EU Materials

How to access the Westlaw database service and use it to find: case law, legislation, journal articles and more. This also includes information about how to access international materials on Westlaw.

Westlaw UK

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Westlaw UK EU Search

Westlaw provides access to EU legislation, case law and other materials.

  • Legislation: Content includes primary legislation (1951 - ) and secondary legislation as it appears in the OJ “L” series (1952 - ). To search or browse legislation: from the home page, follow the link to the “EU” search screen.
  • Case Law: Westlaw provides access to case law from 1954 onwards.

You can access the EU search from the Welcome page. From the tabs at the top of the Welcome Page, select select 'EU'.

In the main search box you can search across EU content. 

 

Searching for EU legislation on Westlaw

By Title

e.g. Directive 95/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 1995 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data.

After selecting 'More' and 'European Union' from the Welcome page, select 'European Union Legislation'.

Under 'Document Fields' search for secondary legislation using words in the title by entering these in the 'Title' box.

Your search appears in the main search box. Beside the main search box, select the search (orange 'magnifying glass') button.

A list of results matching your search will be displayed.

Tip: You can limit your search to specific legislation sources by selecting these (e.g. Directive, Regulation) in the 'Document Type' options.

By Document Number

e.g. Directive 95/46/EC.

After selecting 'More' and 'European Union' from the Welcome page, select 'European Union Legislation'.

Under 'Document Fields' search for secondary legislation  using its short form (legislation number) by entering this in the 'Citation' box.

Your search appears in the main search box. Beside the main search box, select the search (orange 'magnifying glass') button.

A list of results matching your search will be displayed.

Tip: You can limit your search to specific legislation sources by selecting these (e.g. Directive, Regulation) in the 'Document Type' options.

By Free Text Term

e.g. infringing fundamental freedoms or privacy; for purposes of journalism or for purposes of literary of artistic expression.

After selecting 'More' and 'European Union' from the Welcome page, select 'European Union Legislation'.

You can search for EU secondary legislation using words occurring anywhere in the document's text by entering these under 'Find documents that have' in the appropriate box(es): 'All of these terms', 'Any of these terms', or 'This exact phrase'.

Your search appears in the main search box. Beside the main search box, select the search (orange 'magnifying glass') button.

A list of results matching your search will be displayed.

Tip: You can limit your search to specific legislation sources by selecting these (e.g. Directive, Regulation) in the 'Document Type' options.

Treaties

e.g. Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

After selecting 'More' and 'European Union' from the Welcome page, select 'European Union Treaties'.

You can search for EU treaties by using the 'Find documents that have', 'Citation', 'Title' or  'Subject' boxes.

Your search appears in the main search box. Beside the main search box, select the search (orange 'magnifying glass') button.

A list of results matching your search will be displayed.

Checking the status of EU legislation on Westlaw 

In force or amended?

In force dates are indicated under the “Dates” heading and amendments are shown under the “Modified by” heading (below the legislation text).

Implementation by Member States

Information about implementation by Member States is given under 'National Measures' (below the text of the legislation).

Searching for EU Case Law on Westlaw

By Party Names (case name)

e.g. Rewe-Zentral AG v Bundesmonopolverwaltung für Branntwein.

After selecting 'More' and 'European Union' from the Welcome page, select 'European Union Cases'.

Under 'Document Fields' search for cases using party names by entering these in the 'Parties' box.

Your search appears in the main search box. Beside the main search box, select the search (orange 'magnifying glass') button.

A list of results matching your search will be displayed.

By Case Number

e.g. 120/78 or C-157/03.

After selecting 'More' and 'European Union' from the Welcome page, select 'European Union Cases'.

Under 'Document Fields' search for  a case using its case number by entering this in the 'Citation' box.

Your search appears in the main search box. Beside the main search box, select the search (orange 'magnifying glass') button.

A list of results matching your search will be displayed.

By Free Text Term

e.g. cassis de dijon or minimum alcohol content.

You can search for EU cases using words occurring anywhere in the document's text by entering these under 'Find documents that have' in the appropriate box(es): 'All of these terms', 'Any of these terms', or 'This exact phrase'.

Your search appears in the main search box. Beside the main search box, select the search (orange 'magnifying glass') button.

A list of results matching your search will be displayed.

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