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Law

Certification training

Almost all law firms now demand that trainees are able to demonstrate their competence in legal research, knowing how to confidentally navigate both online and print information sources.

Westlaw and Lexis certification training are programs designed to equip law students and legal professionals with the skills and knowledge to effectively use these essential legal research platforms. These certifications demonstrate proficiency in navigating the databases, conducting efficient searches, and understanding the intricacies of legal information retrieval.

Upon completion of the training and subsequent test, you will be provided by a certificate that testifies that you have completed the test and can demonstrate your abilities to use the database to search for legal information. This is an industry-recognised certificate and you can add details of it to your CV to demonstrate to potential employers your skills in legal research.

Why Westlaw and Lexis Certification is Valuable:

  • Enhanced Research Skills: Certification training provides a structured learning experience, covering advanced search techniques, Boolean operators, filters, citators, and other features specific to each platform. These skills are crucial for conducting comprehensive and accurate legal research.
  • Improved Efficiency: By mastering the tools and features of Westlaw and Lexis, legal professionals can significantly reduce the time and effort required for research, leading to increased productivity.
  • Professional Credibility: Certification demonstrates a commitment to professional development and a dedication to staying up-to-date with legal research tools and techniques.
  • Competitive Advantage: In a competitive job market, possessing Westlaw or Lexis certification can give you an edge over other candidates, highlighting your proficiency in essential legal research skills.

What Employers Value:

  • Efficiency: Employers value employees who can quickly and accurately find the information they need, minimising research time and maximising productivity.
  • Expertise: Certification demonstrates expertise in using industry-standard legal research tools, assuring employers of your competence in conducting thorough legal research.
  • Professionalism: Pursuing certification shows initiative and a commitment to professional development, qualities that are highly valued by employers.

Westlaw's scheme consists of three certification tracks:

  1. Westlaw UK Basic Certification: This introductory course covers effective searching, refining results, and using status icons to ensure you are using reliable and up-to-date law.

  2. Westlaw UK Advanced Certification: This course builds upon the Basic Certification and covers more advanced topics like Boolean search connectors, judicial consideration of case law, legislative modifications and derivation tables, EU law, and other complex research techniques.

  3. Practical Law Certification: This focuses on the practical application of law and covers topics like practice notes, standard documents, checklists, and how-to guides; understanding how to research specific legal topics and find relevant guidance and resources; and how to use model documents and clauses to create accurate and effective legal documents.

Note: There is a third certification scheme, Westlaw International Training Module, which focuses on international legal materials. However, the Library does not currently subscribe to the International module on Westlaw, so you will be unable to access the content featured in this training.

How to Access Certification:

You can access the Westlaw UK certification tracks through the Thomson Reuters Law Student website. The certification courses are free and self-paced, allowing you to learn at your own convenience. Upon successful completion of each track, you'll receive a certificate to showcase your expertise.

Training:

Thomson Reuters also offers webinars running from January to June covering Westlaw and Practical Law certification, as well as refresher sessions. You can find details of those webinars, which are free to attend, here. (Remember to register using your Derby Unimail account, not any personal accounts you have).

Lexis offers Basic and Advanced Certificates covering either the law of England and Wales or the law of Scotland. You can take the Basic and Advanced Certificates in both areas of law.

The test contains 15 questions on UK and EU cases and legislation, as well as specific use of Lexis such as search connectors and truncators and refining your results. You have 1 hour to complete the test, although it is unlikely you will take this long, and you must get 13 out of 15 questions correct to pass.

You may retake the tests as many times as you wish.

Click here to access Lexis' online Certification webpage.