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Docket Research

This guide provides an overview of accessing courts materials through docket searching.

ACCESSING DOCKETS USING WESTLAW

Westlaw's docket coverage includes all U.S. district courts and a wide range of state courts. To see the full array of court coverage, follow this link to Dockets and Court Wire Coverage, and you can search for coverage details for a particular jurisdiction.

To access Dockets from Westlaw Precision's homepage, under the Content Types tab underneath the heading Specialty areas, select Dockets. 

Image of Dockets highlighted under Specialty Areas on Westlaw's homepage.

From the Dockets page, you can narrow your search by jurisdiction or use the resource present on the navigation panel on the right.

SEARCHING DOCKETS ON WESTLAW

Westlaw Docket searching is intuitive to use and offers several filter options. Utilizing advanced search on dockets, you can search by participant names, docket number, case type, and keywords. A unique search feature on Westlaw is using the NOS (Nature of Suit) code to refine a search, which categorizes the types of cases filed in the federal courts. 

When retrieving a Docket through Westlaw, ensure that it is up-to-date by clicking update which will show any recent filings added since the last update.