LibGuides: Environmental Law: Find Case law

Definitions

Legislation:

Also called statutes and acts, these are laws produced in legislatures.

Case law:

Also called decisions, judgments, and sometimes precedents, these are laws created in the courts by judges.

It is best to consult secondary resources (books and articles) before primary (cases and legislation). This method:

shortens your work by relying on the research already conducted and described by legal experts.
directs you to the most important cases and legislation

CanLII
Free, open collection of case law and legislation. Searchable and organized by jurisdiction. Some case summaries and comments available via CanLII Connects.
WestlawNext Canada
Use this database to access the Canadian Abridgment to find cases organized topically, and to access the full text of most of those cases. Note up cases for judicial consideration using KeyCite. Westlaw Canada password required.
LexisNexis Quicklaw
Use this database to access the Canada Digest (online only) to find case law organized topically, and link to the full text of those cases. Note up cases for judicial consideration using QuickCite. LexisNexis Quicklaw password required.