Legal Research Guide

Step 1:

Source Act using Legify.com.au

Step 1:

Source Act using Legify.com.au

Step 2:

In the TABLE OF CONTENTS pane
scroll down to the very last item
to find the Endnotes
(expand + the last item, if necessary)

Step 2:

Navigate through the Act to the clause

Step 3:

Expand  + the Endnotes

Step 3:

Amendment history is located
immediately below each clause

Note the amendment dates

Step 4:

Select Endnote 4—Amendment history

Step 4:

Return to the list of Versions

Step 5:

Locate section number to find amending/inserting/etc Act/s

Note:  Amending Act is given by number (note Act’s assent date)

Step 5:

Read the Currency start and end dates
Select the version of the Act that contains the amendment date

Step 6:

Search for Act by Number to see change/s:

1. Acts
2. As made
3. Year / Number

To find the amendment Ctl + F  [section number or keyword]

Step 6:

From the Compare column, select the PDF version of the Act

Step 7:

To see original wording to compare changes:

1. Select View Series
2. Read the Start and End dates for each version
3. Select version of Act prior to change (prior to amending Act's assent date)

Step 7:

Use the Bookmarks to quickly navigate to the section to see the change in wording

Step 1:

Source Act on Federal Register of Legislation

Tip: use Legify

Step 1:

Source Act on Western Australian Legislation

Tip: use Legify

Step 2:

Select the View Series link in the Details pane
located to the left of screen

Step 2:

Select Versions of this Act
(includes consolidations, Reprints and “As passed” versions)

Step 3:

Check the Start and End dates each version was in force between

Step 3:

Select Consolidated Versions

Step 4:

Select the version relevant to specific time period

Step 4:

Check the Start and End dates each version was in force between

Note:
Superseded Version in Details pane of versions no longer in force

AustLII

Jade

Lexis Advance 

Westlaw Australia 

Option 1: LawCite

1. Select LawCite (located at the far right on the red band)

1. Select Jade Browser tab

Select Legislation Collection

Select By legislature

Option 1: Quick Find: Legislation

Select the Legislation tab

Option 1: Global Search:

1. Search by Act title and section number in the global search box

Example:
Legal Profession Act 2008 282

WAIT

2. Complete Legislation Considered fields

Tip: Do not include a designation abbreviation - just the number)

_________________________

2. Select Western Australian Legislation - Acts (WALegAct)

Navigate to the relevant Act:

Select Le

Select Legal Profession Act 2008

2. Complete Legislation Title and Provision Number fields

Tip: Do not include a designation abbreviation - just the number

2. From the drop down suggestions, select the linked section title 

Option 2: NoteUp

1. Select the relevant jurisdiction from the black ribbon on the AustLII home page

Example: WA

3. Navigate to relevant section

Select section title

3. From the Results list, select the hyperlinked section title

3. From the  Citing References tab, select Cases

_________________________

2. Type the Act title and section number (number only) in the search box (located at the top right of screen)

Example: 
Legal Profession Act 2008 282

4. Select relevant citations

4. Select the View Legislation Citator link (located to the right of the section title)

_________________________

Option 2: Global Search:

1. Search by Act title in double inverted commas and section number to be within 10 words of Act title

e.g. 
"Legal Profession Act 2008" /10 282

Tip: Sign up for Jade Professional using your Murdoch student email address @student.murdoch.edu.au

(it is free)

Option 2: Cases Advanced Search:

1. Select  Advanced Search - Cases

2. Select Cases

Option 1: Select View All Cases

Option 2: Select Cases from the Content types menu

4. Select the hyperlinked Act and Section from the Results list

from the Western Australian Current Acts database

2. Complete Legislation Title and Provision Number fields

Tip: Do not include a designation abbreviation - just the number)

_________________________

Option 3: Advanced Search

1. Select  Content type - Cases

2. Select Advanced Search

3. Complete Legislation Cited (Title) and Legislation Cited (Provision) fields

Tip: Do not include a designation abbreviation
- just the number

_________________________

Option 1: LawCite:

Step 1:

Select LawCite
located at the end of the red stripe

Step 1:

Search by Act title in double inverted commas and jurisdiction

e.g. 
"Legal Profession Act" AND (Western OR WA)

Tip:
check the box for  Full text only
only add the provision number - not s, p, etc

Step 1:

Select drop-down arrow beside Advanced Search
Select Secondary Materials

Step 1:

Search by Act title in double inverted commas and section number to be within 10 words of Act title

e.g. 
"Legal Profession Act 2008" /10 282

Step 2:

Add the Act title in Legislation Considered:

Add the provision number in Section

Tips:
omit the Act year
only add the provision number - not s, p, etc

Step 2:

Select Search

Step 2:

Navigate down to Legislation Title and Provision Number

Step 2:

Select Search

Step 3:

Select Search

Step 3:

Add the term

Tip:
select Act title from suggestions
only add the provision number - not s, p, etc

Step 3:

From the Results page:

Option 1: Select View All Secondary Sources

Option 2: Select Secondary Sources from the Content types menu

Step 4:

Select
Law Journal Articles matching this search 
located at end of menu below LawCite logo

Step 4:

Select Search

Step 4:

From the Filter menu on the left of screen,
expand Publication type

Select Law Reviews & Journals

Option 2: Database Search

1. Select Journals & Scholarship from the red ribbon

Step 5:

Narrow results by using filters
located to the left of screen

2. Add the Act title within double inverted commas to the search box (located in the top right corner)

e.g. 
"Legal Profession Act 2008" 

Step 1:

Select ParlInfo on Parliament of Australia

Step 1:

Select Bills from the Parliamentary Business drop-down menu on Parliament of Western Australia

Step 2:

Select Guided Search tab

Step 2:

Select the Bill from the A-Z list

Step 3:

Select Documents relating to a Bill

Other Source:

AustLII
(but not recommended, as this is not an authorised source)

Step 4:

Enter Bill title (subject words only)

Include date range if relevant

Step 5:

Select the relevant Bill from the results List

Step 6:

Select the link to the Bill home page

Tip:

Select the link to the Bills Digest

Bills Digest gives summary, purpose, background and impact of Bill

(view in PDF format for live links)

Other Sources:

Federal Register of Legislation - Bills and Explanatory Memoranda

AustLII - Browse by year or title

Print:

Law Library: Stack 24

Australian Parliament. House of representatives & Senate.
Bills & Explanatory Memoranda

Geoffrey Bolton Library South Wing Level 3 R 348.9401 AUS  

Print:

Law Library: Stack 38

Western Australian Parliament
Bills Introduced to the Legislative Assembly

Geoffrey Bolton Library South Wing Level 3 R  348.94101 W527 1 

Online:

Look in Hansard

Online:

Look in Hansard

Step 1:

Select drop-down arrow beside Advanced Search
Select Legislation

Step 1:

Select  Content type - Legislation

Step 2:

Navigate down to Defined Terms

Step 2:

Select Advanced Search

Step 3:

Add the term

Step 3:

Navigate down to Defined Terms

Step 4:

Select Search

Step 4:

Add the term

Step 5:

Narrow results by using filters
located to the left of screen

Alternatively:

Browse Results looking at Content and Jurisdiction
located to the right of each result

Step 5:

Select Search

Step 6:

Narrow results by using filters
located to the left of screen

Alternatively

Select the highlighted hyperlink in the legislation results
to go directly to the section in the document.

Option 2: Quick Search

Step 1:

Select Defined Terms tab

Option 2: General Search

Step 1:

In the search box on the home page, type

(character! OR compris! OR defin! OR describ! OR discuss! OR element! OR expla! OR interpret! OR mean! OR phras!) /15 SearchWord

Step 2:

Select the radio button for Legislative Definitions

Step 2:

From the Results page,
select Legislation from the Content types menu on the left of screen

OR

View All beside the Legislation group

Step 3:

Add search term/s

Source all
Commonwealth, State and Territory
Acts and Regulations by title

Source Commonwealth Acts And Subsidiary Legislation by:
    Name 
    Number and Year 
    Currently in Force

Links to source
all State and Territory legislation 

Source Western Australian Acts and Subsidiary Legislation by:
    Name
    Number and Year
    Currently in Force

Step 1:

Search for Regulation by title

Tips:
    do not include the word Regulation
    do not include year 
    do not include jurisdiction

Step 1:

Select > Legislative Instruments (located in menu to left of screen)

Option 1:

Step 1:

Select > Acts > As passed 
(located in menu to left of screen)

Step 2:

Filter Results by jurisdiction

Step 2:

Select As made

Step 2

Select the relevant starting letter of the Act title from the alphabet block

Example: Bail Act 1982

Step 3:

Select the link to Regulations from the Results list

Step 3: Option 1: Browse Legislative Instruments Title

Step 3.O1.1

Select the relevant starting letters of the Regulations title from the alphabet block

Example: Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority Regulations 2020 (F2020L00169)

Step 3

Navigate to Act title

Step 3.O1.2:

Navigate to Regulation title

Tip:
Change Page size to 100

Tip:

Filter results by a word within the Regulation title

Step 4

Click on the Page icon
(located on the far right in the table)

Step 3.O1.3:

Click on the Regulation title

OR

Click on View Series to view all compilations

Tip:
Ensure you are viewing the latest compilation that is currently in force.
If a superseded regulation opens,
click on View Series,
then select the latest from the list

Step 5:

Select
Subsidiary legislation made under this Act

Step 3: Option 2: Browse Legislative Instruments Registration date

Step 3.O2.1

Change the Browse option to Year/Number

Option 2:

Step 1:

Select > Subsidiary Legislation > In force and ceased
(located in menu to left of screen)

Step 3.O2.2

Select the relevant year
(given in the citation or Regulation title) 

Example: Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority Regulations 2020 (F2020L00169)

Step 2:

Select the relevant title or year of the Regulation
(given in the citation or Act title) 

Example: Bail Amendment Regulations 2020 (SL 2020/235)

Step 3.O1.3:

Navigate to Regulation using instrument number

Note:
Instruments are listed in reverse numerical order

Tips:
Change Page size to 100

Filter results by a word within the Act title

Step 2.O2.3:

Navigate to Regulation title or number

Step 3.O1.4:

Click on the Act title

OR

Click on View Series to view all compilations

Tip:
Ensure you are viewing the latest compilation.
If a superseded compilation opens,
click on View Series,
then select the latest compilation from the list

Step 2.O2.3:

Click on the Page icon
(located on the far right in the table)

Tip:

Select from the top menu to easily access extrinsic materials

Step 1:

Source Bill on Parliament of Australia

Instructions for Source Blls

Step 1:

Source Bill on Federal Register of Legislation

Select > Bills (located in menu to left of screen)

Step 1:

Source Bill on Parliament of Western Australia

Step 2:

Select the Bill from the Browse list

Step 2:

Select As introduced A-Z

Step 2:

Select the Bill from the Browse list

Step 3:

Navigate down the Bills page to access the EM

Step 3:

Source the Bill by Title or Year

Example: Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority Bill 2008

Step 3:

Navigate down the Bills page to access the EM

Step 4:

Select Explanatory Memorandum from the top menu in the light blue ribbon

Option 2:

Step 1:

Use Legify to source the Act from the Federal Register of Legislation

Step 2:

Select View Series

Step 3:

Select Related Bills

Step 4:

Select the Bill from the list

Step 5:

Select Explanatory Memorandum from the top menu in the light blue ribbon

Step 1:

Access Hansard on Parliament of Australia

Step 1:

Access Hansard on Parliament of Western Australia

Step 1:

Access Hansard on Parliament of Western Australia

Step 2:

Scroll down screen to Search Hansard

Step 2:

Select 

Advanced search (August 2000 until present)

Step 2:

Select

Hansard archive (1870 - June 2000)

Step 3:

Select More options to expand search
Uncheck Hansard title only

Step 3:

Check the box for Detailed Word and Phrase Searching

Step 3:

Select Advanced search
(located on the right of screen)

Step 4:

Add the details you know 

Tip: use the From & To calendar dates

Step 4:

Add the details you know 

Step 4:

Add the details you know 

Step 5:

Select Search

Step 5:

Select Search

Step 5:

Select Search

AustLII

CCH IntelliConnect 

Lexis Advance 

Westlaw Australia 

1. Select LawCite (located at the far right on the red band)

1. Add the legislation title and section number to the search box

Tip: Enclose the legislation title in double inverted commas

"Commercial Tenancy (Retail Shops) Agreements Act 1985"

1. Select  Advanced Search - Secondary Materials

1. Search by Act title in double inverted commas and section number to be within 10 words of Act title

e.g. 
"Legal Profession Act 2008" /10 282

2. Complete Legislation Title and Provision Number fields

Tip: Do not include a designation abbreviation - just the number)

2. Narrow Results

by Document Type

CCH Commentary

2. Complete References to Legislation by Title and References to Legislation by Provision Number fields

Tip: Do not include a designation abbreviation - just the number)

2. From the Results page:

Select Secondary Sources from the Content types menu

3. Narrow the search Results by Content Type > Commentary

_________________________

3. Filter the Results by
Publication Type > Commentary
located on left of screen

Option 2: Quick Find: LawNow

1. Select Legislation

2. Complete Legislation Title and Provision Number fields

Tip: Do not include a designation abbreviation - just the number)

2. Select the relevant Result

3. Select the View Legislation Citator link (located to the right of the section title)

4. Navigate to Secondary Materials

_________________________

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)/sub-subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

pres = present

Ch = Chapter(s)

prev = previous

def = definition(s)

(prev ... ) = previously

Dict = Dictionary

Pt = Part(s)

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

Div = Division(s)

reloc = relocated

ed = editorial change

renum = renumbered

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given  effect

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect

SR = Statutory Rules

mod = modified/modification

Sub-Ch = Sub-Chapter(s)

No. = Number(s)

SubPt = Subpart(s)

underlining = whole or part not commenced or to be commenced

Step 1:

Access the Committees page on Parliament of Australia

Step 1:

Access the Committees page on  Parliament of Western Australia

Step 2:

Select More options immediately below the Search box

Step 2:

Select Advanced search
located to the right of screen

Step 3:

Add the details you know 

Step 3:

Add the details you know 

Alternatively:

Select from the All committees menu,
located to the right of screen

Step 4:

Select Search

Step 4:

Select Search

Step 5:

Select Report from the About this inquiry menu,
located to the right of screen

Step 5:

Select Report tab

Step 1:

Access the Committees page on Parliament of Australia

Step 1:

Access the Committees page on  Parliament of Western Australia

Step 2:

Select More options immediately below the Search box

Step 2:

Select Advanced search
located to the right of screen

Step 3:

Add the details you know 

Step 3:

Add the details you know 

Alternatively:

Select from the All committees menu,
located to the right of screen

Step 4:

Select Search

Step 4:

Select Search

Step 5:

Select Report from the About this inquiry menu,
located to the right of screen

Step 5:

Select Report tab

LEGENDcom 

Lexis Advance 

LEGENDcom content

• migration and citizenship legislation and policy documents
• Migration Act 1958 and Migration Regulations 1994 (from 1 September 1994)
• other migration legislation
• policy documents
• legislative and non-legislative instruments
• Gazette notices

Browsing

Step 1: Log on to Lexis Advance 

Step 2: Select the Browse drop-down arrow

Step 3: Select Publications   >   Australia   >   By Content Type   >   AU Secondary Materials

Step 4: From the alphabet, select P

Step 5: Scroll down to Procedures Advice Manual and Immigration Legislation

Step 6: Click on the Table of Contents link

Step 4: Either Search PAM3, or Browse by clicking on the + to expand the document tree to view PAM3 headings

Note: Most policy documents in Lexis Advance are not linked to the full text, unlike LEGENDcom.

Features

hyperlinked information
- related legislation and policy documents are linked to each other
  (Federal Register of Legislation does not have hyperlinks)

pop-up information boxes
- give value-added information with explanations, background and links to related information

Searching

Step 1: Log on to Lexis Advance and locate the Publications list on the right-hand side of the page.

Step 2: From the bottom of this list, select View all publications.

Step 3: Locate the Australian Immigration Law commentary from the list of publications and then select Table of Contents.

Step 4: You will be taken to a table of contents page. Lexis Advance will automatically search all content within this commentary unless you choose to select specific parts of the source (i.e. just select the PAM3 headings) by clicking on the magnifying glass symbol next to the relevant heading.

Step 5: Enter your search terms in the search box at the top of the screen and search.

Note: if you are searching for a material discussing "powers to detain" make sure to use quotation marks around the phrase when you are searching for it.

If you have limited your search by selecting specific headings within Australian Immigration Law and cannot find an answer to your question, go back and repeat the search without the specific headings.

LEGENDcom Access

1. Click on the database link to LEGENDcom 
    You can find this link on the Law Subject Guide home page.

Form Searching

You can also use the Advanced Search form in Lexis Advance to search for policy documents.
From the Lexis Advance homepage, select Advanced Search and then Secondary Materials.
Fill in the search forms available, using different fields to limit your search.
Once you have reached the results page for your search, limit the results by publication, selecting Australian Immigration Law from the available list of publications.

Lexis Advance Tutorials

You can access tutorials for using the Lexis Advance database at anytime from the Help tab at the top of the screen on the right-hand side.
Useful information is also available from the Database User Guides page.

3. From the Password table, remember the Username, and copy the password (Ctrl +C)

Warning: LEGENDcom  has a very sensitive login system - so ensure you are careful when entering your password details.

There are only 3 incorrect attempts allowed and then all Murdoch staff and students are barred from using the LEGENDcom
until library staff contact the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to authorise a new password.
If a lock out occurs on a Friday afternoon it will not be unlocked until the following Monday (or Tuesday if it is a public holiday).
So be careful!

LEGENDcom Sign out

Be sure to Sign out at the end of your LEGENDcom session

LEGENDcom Help

Scroll to the bottom of LEGENDcom home page to access Training material

Select a User Guide from the list, or watch a video explaining how to use LEGENDcom

LEGENDcom Navigation

You can Browse or Search content on LEGENDcom

LEGENDcom Search

Search is available from the LEGENDcom home page.

Type Search terms, separated by  " AND "

Example:   100" AND "partner

Insert the date range relevant to your query.
The Search will then retrieve stacks from this date range.
The legislation and policy is sorted into stacks. Each stack contains the complete set of legislation and policy that was in effect for the specified date range.

Leave the date at the default date if you want the latest content.

Search Results can be filtered by Topic: Migration   Citizenship   Customs   Updates   Amendments

Search Results can also be filtered by Folder Type or Category Type

Select Policy and Operational documents to access PAM content

Search terms are highlighted in the Search Results list 

Select a relevant Search Result from the list to access a document

Document includes policy, instructions and links to related PAM chapters

LEGENDcom Browse - Policy 

You can Browse through the Policy content, if you know which Schedule you are seeking more information on.

Select the LATEST MIGRATION POLICY tile from the LEGENDcom home page to access policy documents (PAM).

Expand the relevant Policy topic

Example: POLICY - MIGRATION REGULATIONS - SCHEDULES - Sch2 Visa 100 - Partner

The Policy document includes instructions for applying the Policy as well as related PAM chapters.
(Don't forget to use the pop-up feature for value-added information with explanations, background and links to related information.)

LEGENDcom Browse - Regulations 

You can Browse through the Regulations to see these, as well as related policy content, if you know which Subclass you are seeking more information on.

Select the LATEST MIGRATION REGULATIONS tile from the LEGENDcom home page.

Expand the relevant Regulation

Example: MIGRATION REGULATIONS - SCHEDULE 2 - Subclass 100 - Partner

The Regulation includes a pop-up link (for value-added information with explanations, background and links to related information) as well as a link to policy (PAM chapters).

Example pop-up pane:

Step 1:

Source Bill on Parliament of Australia

Instructions for Source Bills

Step 1:

Source Bill on Parliament of Western Australia

Step 2:

Select the Bill from the Results list

Step 2:

Select the Bill from the list

Step 3:

Select the link to the Bill home page
located to the left of screen
located above the Table of Contents menu

Step 3:

Navigate down the Bills Home Page to access
the Second Reading Speech

Step 4:

Navigate down the Bills Home Page to access
the Second Reading Speech

No link?

Record the Second Reading Speech date, and source from Hansard

Search

Browse

From the AustLII Australian Treaties Library page, you can enter search terms and search within just this collection within AustLII.

For instance, if you were looking for a list of treaties dealing with refugees and persecution you might type the search:

refugee*  w/50 persecution 

(this is a Boolean search where the first term is found within 50 words of the second term. The * is a 'truncator' which allows both the words refugee and refugees to be retrieved)

Enter this search into the search box on the Australian Treaties Library page.
Search only within the Australian Treaties Series.

At this point you can open the Australian Treaty Series (ATS) and drill down to a treaty by clicking through the relevant years.
You can use the options on the left hand side of the screen to browse:

• by subject - note the heading for Citizenship and Migration;
• by country; or
• by short title

Take a look at the results.
One of the treaties you should have found is the Agreement relating to Refugee Seamen [1973] ATS 17.
Open this document.

Have a look at the information at the top of the document.

You will see

• The Australian Treaty Series number
  • The citation form is
    [date] || series || number
    i.e. [1973] ATS 17
• When the treaty was initially accepted by the UN
• Entry into force generally
• Entry into force for Australia
  • This is the date it was ratified by the Australian Government
• The full text of the treaty
• At the end of the treaty you will see additional information about the ratification and when the instrument of accession was deposited for Australia with the UN.