Guided legal research worksheet

Collect facts, issues, authorities, and key quotations before you start writing. Autosaves locally, exports to PDF.

Worksheet completion0%

1. Topic & question

TopicJurisdiction

Research question (narrow it to something answerable in 2,000–3,000 words)Scope — what you WILL and WILL NOT cover

2. Facts

Material facts (chronology, parties, key events)

3. Legal issues

4. Search strategy

Keywords (legal terms, synonyms, statutes)Boolean search string (e.g. "human rights" AND privacy AND (data OR technology) NOT trademark)Databases you'll search

5. Authorities

Every proposition must be supported by an authority. Add cases, legislation, journal articles, books. Verify each at the primary source before submitting.

6. Key quotations

Copy short direct quotes with source & pinpoint. Never paraphrase without noting it here first.

7. Credibility check

Are your sources authoritative, accurate, current, relevant? Note any that need verifying.

8. Outline

Logical structure before you start drafting

Start drafting the article → Autosaved locally.