KeyCite is a legal research tool that helps users verify the validity of court cases and statutes. It allows legal researchers to track the history of a case and find references where that case has been cited as legal authority. This interactive service, first launched by West Group in July 1997, is designed to streamline the process of determining a case's precedential value.
KeyCite is utilized in various legal practices, including civil, criminal, and family law. It is particularly important for attorneys, paralegals, and legal researchers who need to ensure that the cases they rely on are still valid and have not been overruled or negatively treated by subsequent court decisions. Users can manage their legal research more effectively with tools like US Legal Forms, which provide templates for legal documents.
Here are a couple of examples of abatement:
For instance, if a legal researcher finds a case with a red flag in KeyCite, it indicates that the case is no longer considered good law and should not be relied upon. Conversely, if a case shows four stars, it means that the case has been thoroughly discussed in subsequent decisions, indicating its significance in legal precedent.
| Term | Definition | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| Shepard's | A similar citatory service used for legal research. | KeyCite is specific to Westlaw, while Shepard's is associated with LexisNexis. |
| Case Law | The body of law established by the outcomes of former court cases. | KeyCite is a tool for analyzing case law, not the law itself. |
If you need to verify the validity of a case, start by using KeyCite to check its status. If you find that the case is still valid, you can confidently use it as a reference in your legal work. For those who are unfamiliar with legal research, consider using templates from US Legal Forms to assist you in drafting necessary documents. If your situation is complex, consulting a legal professional may be beneficial.
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