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University Library Services

Subject Guide: Law

Types of sources

You will need to use a variety of primary and secondary information sources when studying Law:

Law reports
Published volumes of the decisions of the courts. Law reports are available through online subscription databases such as Lexis+ UK and Westlaw UK, which can be accessed through Database Search

Statutes (Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments)
Theses are also available through online databases such as Lexis+ UK and Westlaw UK as well as sites such as Legislation.gov.uk.

Academic journals and periodicals
You can search for journal articles on Library Search, or search for the journal title using Journal Titles. You will be able to access the full-text of many journal articles available through Library Search.

Textbooks/monographs
Textbooks (teaching texts) and monographs (specialist works) are available in the Library. Some are available as e-books which you can read both on and off campus. Check Library Search for availability.

Bibliographic works and encyclopaedia
These are reference works which are useful for definitions. They include Halsbury’s Laws of England which is available both online through Lexis+ UK and in print (historic collection – no longer updated) in the library.