A research note should let another advocate find the original authority and understand why it matters. This workflow starts with the question and ends with a proposition checked against the decision. For comparing platforms, use the research software guide.
1. Write the question and the factual limits
Identify the issue, forum, procedural stage and material facts. Separate the legal question from the result you hope to obtain. Record any assumption that could change which decisions are relevant.
2. Search and record what you found
Keep the search terms and the identity of potentially relevant decisions. Open the original judgment rather than relying only on a search snippet or generated answer. Confirm the parties, court, date and case identifier.
A summary may help navigation; it does not establish that a proposition was adopted by the court.
3. Read the passage in context
Distinguish the court's reasoning and final order from submissions, background narrative and quoted material. Read enough surrounding text to understand qualifications and the facts on which the result depends.
Record an exact page or paragraph reference. If a quotation or page cannot be found, mark it unresolved instead of creating a plausible substitute.
4. Check how the decision can be used
Assess the forum, procedural posture, material factual differences and any relevant later treatment. Confirm the applicable law independently. Where the available material is incomplete, state that limitation in the note.
For a generated citation, use the citation verification guide. The presence of a link does not establish that the linked case supports the stated proposition.
5. Write a source-linked research note
Use a short structure: question, material facts, proposed proposition, supporting passage, qualifications and unresolved checks. Link each proposition to the original authority. Keep your inference separate from what the judgment actually says.
6. Review before reusing the note
Ask the reviewing advocate to check relevance and remaining uncertainties before the proposition enters a pleading or advice. Preserve the source and the identifiable version of the note used for the final draft.
Career-entry and remuneration questions belong in separate guides. For qualification questions, complete a recognised LL.B., enrol with the relevant State Bar Council, and then take the AIBE under the applicable eligibility rules; check current requirements in the qualification guide.
Explore JuniorLawyer's features for research and drafting assistance. Independently verify any generated authority or summary before professional use.