The three most common types of legal documents that legal researchers use, in addition to books and journal articles, are bills, statutes, and case law.

  • Bills are proposed legislation before they get approved as law.

  • Statutes are the laws as approved by a legislature (eg, federal Parliament or provincial assembly).

  • Case law or jurisprudence is the written decision of a judge or decision-maker made following the conclusion of case in court or before a tribunal.

For more on legal research, see the Law subject guide.

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