# Getting started Find, research and share legal information on LawLibrary. LawLibrary helps you quickly find legal information and navigate documents with confidence. ## Start your research * [Search content](/finding-information/search-for-content) * [Find legislation](/legislation/finding-legislation) * [Courts](/judgments/courts) * [Search inside a document](/working-with-a-document/search-inside-a-document) * [Document table of contents](/working-with-a-document/document-table-of-contents-toc) ## Improve your results * [Advanced search](/finding-information/advanced-search) * [Subject area tags](/finding-information/understanding-subject-area-tags) * [Similar documents](/finding-information/similar-documents) ## Personalise your research * [Personalised research overview](/personalised-research/getting-started) * [Saving a document](/personalised-research/saving-a-document) * [Commenting in a document](/personalised-research/commenting-in-a-document) * [Search alerts](/personalised-research/creating-search-alerts) * [Follow topics of interest](/personalised-research/follow-topics-of-interest) ## Your account * [Create an account](/your-account/create-an-account) * [Reset your password](/your-account/reset-your-password) * [Delete your account](/your-account/delete-your-account) * [Get help and support](/additional-resources/get-help-and-support) # Search content How to search on LawLibrary {% embed url="" %}
## How to conduct a search 1. Enter search terms or a document name in the search bar, and click **Search** 2. The platform displays documents that match your search 3. Narrow the results by using the **filters** on the left to pinpoint what you’re looking for 4. Use the **Sort by** option to sort results by relevance or date ## Focus results with filters Here’s an example. A search for **"climate change"** returns over 600 documents.
Apply the **Act filters** on the left-hand side to isolate legislation only.
Use **multiple filters** to refine your search. Let’s look for an **Act** from **2019**
The search feature makes it easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. ## Search Tips * Use quotation marks around phrases and multi-word searches. For example: "**climate change**" * If you can’t find what you’re looking for, try different or fewer search terms. # Advanced search Explore Advanced search on your LII site {% embed url="" %} Advanced search techniques allow you to narrow down your results and find exactly what you seek. 1. Click **Advanced Search** on your site
2. Under the advanced search page, type the words you are searching for in the search box.
3. Click on the dropdown menu labeled "**In these fields**" 4. Select the relevant fields where you want the search to focus. You can choose multiple fields if needed.
5. Check the box labeled "**Exact phrase**" next to each keyword or phrase to limit the search to exact matches within the selected fields. 6. Refine your search using **("AND," "OR," "NOT")** * **AND**: To include all specified keywords. * **OR**: To include any of the specified keywords. * **NOT**: To exclude specific keywords. Use the subsequent text boxes and dropdowns to select the appropriate fields. Ensure you check "**Exact phrase**" where necessary
7. Filter results by date to refine your results further by entering the start and end dates in the "**Date from**" and "**Date to**" fields. 8. Click the "**Search**" button to initiate the search. # Subject area tags This guide will assist you through the site using subject area tags. {% embed url="" %} 1. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to explore a list of subject area tags.
2. Click on a tag. 3. The documents that match that subject area tag are shown. ## Focus results with filters 4. Clicking " [Environment, Climate and Wildlife](https://lawlibrary.org.za/taxonomy/subject-areas/subject-areas-environment-climate-and-wildlife) " subject area tag for instance returns a number of documents.
4. Apply the relevant filters on the left-hand side to isolate the specific information you want. 5. Click on a document to view # Federated search (AfricanLII) This guide is to help users find related content either in the AU materials on AfricanLII. ## How to conduct Federated Search 1. Go to
2. Enter search terms or a document name in the search bar, and click **Search** 3. The documents that match your search are shown including the respective **jurisdiction** the documents belong in. 4. Narrow the results by using the **filters** on the left to pinpoint what you’re looking for. 5. Use the Sort by option to sort results by relevance or date. ## Focus results with filters Here’s an example. A search for "[refugees ](https://africanlii.org/search/?q=refugees)"returns over 1840 documents.
Apply multiple filters to refine your search. Let’s look for Gazettes with the term refugees from 2023 in South Africa.
Federated search makes it easy to find related information from various jurisdictions and regional bodies. # Similar documents The similar documents feature makes it easier for you to find related legal content, helping you quickly access more context or supporting materials relevant to your work. The functionality is available in two primary areas: 1. Within an individual document 2. Within a folder of saved documents ### How to access similar documents for a document 1. Open the document you want to view 2. Click on the **Related documents** tab 3. Look out for the **More documents like this one** section
### How to access similar documents within your saved folders 1. Go to your **Saved documents** section 2. Click on a saved folder 3. Click **Suggested for this folder** tab to view similar document recommendations for that folder 4. The list shows AI-generated suggestions of documents similar to those saved in the folder
# Courts How to find judgments on the platform by browsing through courts. ## Introduction Courts deliver judgments, which are the main way that judgments are grouped on the platform. Exploring the courts is a good way to find a judgment issued by a particular court. ## Finding judgments by exploring courts 1. Click on **Judgments** in the top navigation bar or on the homepage. 2. Click on a **court's name** to explore judgments from that court. 3. Click on a **year** to limit judgments to a particular year.
4. Click on **Judges** in the Filters box on the left to refine the results further to a particular judge.\\
# Explore special case indexes This guide will quickly identify cases using special case indexes. {% embed url="" %} 1. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to explore a list of **case indexes** tags.
2. Click a category to view all the documents tagged with that case index.
3. Apply the relevant filters on the left-hand side to isolate the specific information or document you want to find. 4. Click to open the document you want to view. 5. On the detail section of the document, you will be able to see under what other categories the case is tagged.
# Federated case indexes on AfricanLII This guide will show you how to search for cases on various topics across multiple jurisdictions. 1. Go to 2. To view **case indexes**, scroll to the bottom of the homepage under **collections**
3. Click on the category you are searching for cases under. ## Focus results with filters Searching for" [commercial law](https://africanlii.org/indexes/case-indexes/case-indexes-commercial) "cases for instance returns over 206 documents tagged commercial law from different jurisdictions.
Narrow the results by using the **filters** on the left to pinpoint what you’re looking for. For example if you filter cases from Ghana under the commercial case index from the year 2016, your results will be more refined.
# Find legislation Explore legislation using these few easy steps ## Browsing for legislation {% embed url="" %} 1. At the top of the page, click on **National Legislation** or **Provincial Legislation.** 2. Narrow your search by clicking on either **Current legislation, Recent legislation, Subsidiary legislation, Uncommenced legislation, Repealed legislation,** or **All legislation.** * **Current legislation:** Legislation that is currently in force. Subsidiary legislation is grouped under each principal Act * **Repealed legislation**: Legislation that has been repealed and is no longer in force. * **Subsidiary legislation**: Regulations and other secondary legislation. * **Uncommenced legislation:** Legislation that has been enacted by a legislative body but has not yet come into effect. * **All legislation:** A complete list of all legislation including principal Acts, subsidiary, and repealed legislation.
3. Filter the titles by typing in the **filter box.**
4. Type in keywords related to the document you are looking for in the search bar on the legislation listing page and click on the "**Search**" button to retrieve relevant documents. 5. To get refined search options, click on "**Advanced search**" next to the search bar to access additional filters and criteria.
6. Filter your results on the left side by **year, nature,** and **by first alphabet.** # Commencements How to identify commencement dates {% embed url="" %} Conduct your research with peace of mind as we have included the commencement dates of legislation, as part of the meta data provided. ## How to spot a commencement date
As seen in the image above, the commencement date is located under the title of the act, for your convenience. In addition the statutory instrument that commences the act is provided and linked for your perusal. ## Multiple commencement dates Some pieces of legislation contain multiple commencement dates. This means that various sections come into force at different dates. Once again, for your convenience, this is displayed in a table below the title of an act/statue; as shown below. In addition, the commencing instrument is provided and linked for your perusal.
## Not yet in force
Please watch out for the banner displayed above. This banner alerts a user when an act has come into force in part and not in full. This eliminates the risk of applying and using an act or section of such act, that has not come into force yet. # Changes to legislation "What changed"? is how we assist users to navigate and compare various versions of legislation on the platform. {% embed url="" %} Did you know that you can compare previous versions of a piece of legislation, which aids comparative legal research? ## Explore what's changed: 1. Open an act or other piece of legislation 2. Legislation that has changed will have a **What changed?** annotation on the right-hand side margin of the page.
### How to compare versions: Comparing the current and previous versions of a provision; 1. Click the **What changed?** button 2. A pop-up box will appear allowing you to choose which versions you would like to compare 3. The text highlighted in green is what has been added and the text in red has been removed. 4. Check the box to view the changes **side-by-side**
### Tips: * When viewing the provision side-by-side; the left-hand side is the **previous version** and the **amended version** is displayed on the right-hand side. * "**This is the latest version of this Act**" notice at the top of the document means that all amendments have been applied to the document and you are viewing the latest version of the legislation. * "**There are outstanding amendments that have not yet been applied. See the History tab for more information.**" notice at the top of the document means that there are amendments to the legislation that have been made but are not yet reflected in the current version you are viewing.
# Track legislation history Legislation changes over time. This platform makes it easy to understand the history of legislation and what amendments have been applied. {% embed url="" %} ## How to track amendments to legislation 1. Look for a list of amending legislation at the beginning of the document below the title.
2. Click the **History tab** on a document to view the lifecycle of a piece of legislation.

The legislations or statutory instruments displayed here, are linked.

3. Click on the **Related documents** tab to view a list of statutes that the current document amends, repeals, or is amended by. This section also provides details on the amending legislation and statutory instruments associated with the document.
## Tips! Pay attention to the banner notification, which indicates whether the amendments to the document you are viewing have been applied. If the amendments have not yet been incorporated, you can find the amending document under the **History** or **Related documents** tabs.
# Repealed legislation {% embed url="" %} As you conduct your research, you will be alerted at various points that the particular piece of legislation you are viewing, has been repealed. ## Alert 1: Search results When a user searches for a resource using the **search bar,** the results will contain a **repealed** alert in red. This alert aims to minimise the application of laws that are no longer in force, by the user.
## Alert 2: In- Document Alerts A user viewing a repealed notice, will be alerted at the top of the document. This alert is accompanied with further details such as the repeal date and a link to the repealing notice.
## Related Documents and History In addition to the above alerts, you will also be able to track the life cycle of a notice by using the **Related documents** tab or the **History** tab. Here you will find information that shows that the notice has been repealed, accompanied by the linked repealing notice.
# Glossary of defined terms Explore terms that have specific definitions in legislation. The legislation glossary is an index of all the terms that are defined in legislation. The glossary makes it easy to see how the same term is defined across legislation. ## How to find the Glossary 1. Click **Legislation** 2. Under **More resources**, click **Glossary of defined terms**. ## How to use the Glossary Use the glossary to find a specific term you are looking for, such as "youth". 1. Click the entry for the first letter of the term, such as **Y** for "youth". 2. The glossary will load. 3. Scroll down through the list of terms to find the one you are looking for. 4. Filter the terms to quickly find the one you need by typing the first few letters into the **Find a term...** box. 5. The glossary will update to show matching terms. ## Understanding an entry in the Glossary
An entry in the glossary includes: * a definition of the term (taken from one of the pieces of legislation that defines the term); and * a list of legislation that defines the term. Similar definitions are grouped together. Click **X groups of similar definitions...** to expand it and see all legislation that defines the term, and all the different definitions. # Search inside a document The In-document search feature will help in doing a search inside various document types including judgments, legislation, and PDFs. {% embed url="" %}
## How to search inside a document 1. Open the document you wish to search on your site 2. Click the **Search** tab on the left side of the screen 3. In the search bar, type the specific **keyword** or phrase you're looking for within the document 4. Click **Search** button 5. Your search term is highlighted in yellow in the document, and a list of matches is shown on the left.
6. Click on a search result to jump to that part of the document. 7. To make a new search, click **Clear** and start again.
These processes will assist you in navigating our documents and efficiently finding specific information using our in-document search feature. \\ # Document table of contents Efficiently navigate a document using the table of contents You can efficiently explore a large document, by using the table of contents to navigate sections. ## To access the Table of Contents 1. Locate the legislation 2. Open the document to view the **Table of contents** on the left-hand side of the page.
3. Scroll through the **Table of Contents** using the scroll bar on the right to view the various sections. 4. Alternatively, you can use the **Search table of contents** to perform a search in the table of contents. 5. Use the "**Expand All**" and "**Collapse All**" buttons to expand or collapse all headings in your document. 6. Click on the **Chapter, Section, Part,** or **Paragraph** that contains the content you want. 7. The page will automatically jump to that part of the document. # Ask questions about a document with AI The Ask AI tool helps you quickly understand any part of a legal document {% embed url="" %} 1. Open the document you want to explore. 2. Click the **Ask AI** button in the bottom right corner of your page.
3. Type any question you want answered about the document. 4. **Ask AI** will analyze the document and respond. You can expand if the answer is long.
5. Ask follow-up questions. 6. Remove a query by clicking the **trash/delete** icon next to it. 7. Click the **close icon** to collapse the dialog without deleting the conversation. You can pick up right where you left off when you return to that document.
# Create an account Create an account on LawLibrary to save documents, set alerts, and follow topics. Creating an account helps you keep track of your research and return to important documents quickly. ## Create your account 1. Click **Log in** at the top of the site. 2. Enter your email address and click **Continue**. 3. You will receive an email with a one-time verification code. Enter this code on the verification page. 4. You are now logged in. If you are a new user, you will be asked to complete your profile details (your first and last name) before you can continue. **Signing up with a password** Because LawLibrary uses an email-based code to log you in, a password is not strictly required. However, if you prefer to sign up with a password: 1. On the verification page, instead of entering the code, click **Sign up with a password**. 2. Follow the prompts to create your password. 3. If you are a new user, you will then be asked to complete your profile details (your first and last name). ## If you cannot create an account If you do not see an option to log in or create an account, account access may be managed differently for your site. Contact your site administrator or support team for access. # Reset your password Reset your LawLibrary password if you cannot log in. If you cannot log in, resetting your password helps you regain access without creating a new account. ## Reset your password Because LawLibrary uses an email-based code to log you in, a password is not strictly required. However, if you prefer to set a password: 1. Click **Log in**. 2. Enter your email address and click **Continue**. 3. Click **Use a password instead.** 4. Click **Forgot your password**. 5. Check your email for a password reset link. 6. Click the link and follow the prompts to reset your password. ## If the email does not arrive Check your spam or junk folder, then try again. If you still do not receive the email, contact your site administrator or support team. # Manage your account Manage your LawLibrary account details and account-based research settings. Your account area helps you keep your profile details up to date and manage your personalised research features. ## Open your account area 1. Log in to LawLibrary. 2. Click on your name in the top-right menu and click **My Account**. ## What you can manage * Account details such as your name and email address. * Your password (you can set one if you prefer to log in with a password instead of an email code). * Subscription and billing information (where available). * Account closure if you decide to [delete your account](/your-account/delete-your-account). # Delete your account Delete your LawLibrary account if you no longer want to use it. If you no longer want to use LawLibrary, you can delete your account from the **My Account** page. Deleting your account cannot be reversed. If you only want to stop paying for your subscription, you may prefer to downgrade to a free account instead of deleting your account. ## Important * Account deletion cannot be reversed. * Make sure you want to permanently delete your account before you continue. ## Delete your account 1. Sign in to LawLibrary. 2. Click on your name in the top-right menu and click **My Account**. 3. Click **Delete account**. 4. Confirm that you want to delete your account. 5. Enter a reason for deleting your account. 6. Check the box to confirm that you understand the process cannot be reversed. 7. Complete the deletion process. # Personalised research overview Personalise your research experience. Use saved documents, comments and other features to personalise your research experience and find what you're looking for more easily. * [Save a document](/personalised-research/saving-a-document) into your private collection to find it easily later. * [Make private comments](https://github.com/laws-africa/peachjam-user-guide/blob/main/lawlibrary-eng/personalised-research/add-and-manage-comments-in-a-document.md) on a document to remember key sections. * [Follow courts and other topics of interest](/personalised-research/follow-topics-of-interest) to be notified when new documents are added. * [Create search alerts](/personalised-research/creating-search-alerts) and get notified when new results match your queries # Saving a document The "Save a Document" feature allows you to easily organize important legal documents for future reference in folders. {% embed url="" %} ## Save a document To begin saving a document, you need to be logged in. 1. Open the document you want to view 2. Click the **Save document** button at the top of the page
3. A **Document saved** pop-up will appear
4. Click the dropdown menu to select an existing folder or choose **New folder...**to create a new one. 5. Click the **Save** button to save. 6. Click the **Unsave** button to undo this action, or the **Close** button to dismiss the pop-up and exit the screen. 7. Click the **View saved documents** link to view existing documents organized in folders and your ungrouped documents. ## Managing saved documents Manage your saved documents and organise them into folders. 1. Click **My Account** at the top of the page. 2. Click **Saved documents** in the dropdown menu. 3. Organised your documents into folders. 4. Click **Download to Excel** to download all the details of a folder into an Excel spreadsheet.
# Commenting in a document Follow the steps below to make private comments on a document. {% embed url="" %} 1. Open the document you want to work on. 2. Ensure you are logged into your account to enable the commenting feature. 3. Navigate through the document and locate the section you want to comment on. 4. Click and drag your cursor over the specific text to highlight it, a pop-up menu appears next to the highlighted text.
5. Click the"**Comment**" option in the pop-up. 6. Type your comment in the text box. 7. Click "Save" to confirm your comment and ensure the document is saved if it has not already been saved.
8. Click the dropdown menu to access the "**Edit**" or "**Delete**" options, allowing you to modify or remove your comment as needed.
9. To view all your annotated documents, navigate to the "Saved Documents" section of your profile. Look for documents with the **comment icon**, which indicates annotations.
10. Click the comment icons to view, edit, or delete annotations on your saved documents. ### Tip: Deleting all comments from a saved document does not remove the document from your saved list. If you want to see the number of comments on a document, check the comment icons—they display the count. # Follow topics of interest The Follow feature lets you stay updated via email on specific courts, regions and legal topics. It's useful in ensuring you never miss important updates relevant to your work or research. {% embed url="" %} We'll email you when new documents are added to a topic you’re following. ### Follow a topic of interest You must be logged in to follow a topic of interest. 1. Browse or search the site to find a topic to follow: * **Court** (e.g. Court of Appeal) * **Province or Municipality** (e.g. Eastern Cape, Bhisho) * **Subject area** (e.g. Human Rights Law) 2. Click the **Follow** button at the top of the page.
3. Click the **Following** button to unfollow.
4. To view the topics you are following: * Click **My Account** at the top of the page. * Click **Following**
# Search alerts The "Search Alerts feature" will make it possible to stay updated on new documents that match your search criteria by receiving email notifications. {% embed url="" %} To begin saving search alerts you need to be logged in; 1. Go to the **search bar** on the site and enter your desired search query 2. Click the **Search** button to initiate the search 3. Click the **Get alerts for this search** button located below the search bar once your search results are displayed
4. A pop-up window will appear, allowing you to set up the alert 5. Click **Save** to activate the alert
6. Optionally, add a note to remind yourself about the purpose of the alert. 7. Click the **"Delete alert"** button to undo this action, or the **"Close"** button to dismiss the pop-up and exit the screen. 8. Click the **All search alerts** link to view all your search alerts 9. To change your search query, click on the **'Update this search alert'** button located at the top of the search results page to modify the search alert 10. To view and manage your search alerts, go to your account section and click the **search alerts** tab 11. Click on the search term to revisit the results or the **Delete** button to delete an alert.
**N/B:** Alerts are sent whenever new documents match your criteria, ensuring you never miss important updates. # Upgrade your subscription Follow the steps to upgrade your subscription on LawLibrary. 1. Create a LawLibrary account or log in to unlock premium subscriptions
2. Click **Subscribe** in the top-right menu
3. On the Subscribe page, click the **See plans & pricing** button to view all plans
4. Review the features of **My LawLibrary Essentials** and **My LawLibrary Pro** to select a plan 5. Click the **Subscribe now** button for your preferred plan
### How to make a payment
6. Enter your LSSA discount code in the **Apply a discount code** field and click **Apply (optional)** 7. Fill in your billing details 8. Click **Pay now and subscribe** to go to the secure payment page 9. Enter your **card number**, **expiry date**, **CVV**, and **name on the card** 10. Click **Pay** to complete your purchase. Your subscription is activated after successful payment
12. Click the **Change** link to update the email address where your account information is sent 13. Your invoice will be sent to your email address 14. Click **Cancel transaction** at the bottom of the payment page to stop the process 15. Go to **My Account** to manage your subscription, billing details, and discounts, or to update your personal information. # Pocket Law Pocket Law is an offline copy of the caselaw, legislation and other legal materials To access Pocket Law: 1. Go to the homepage 2. Scroll to the bottom of the homepage 3. Click the **Pocket Law** button
4. **Download** Pocket Law for your specific operating system whether it's Windows or Mac 5. Click on the .exe file to begin the installation process 6. Click Run Anyway when Microsoft Defender SmartScreen shows a warning 7. Once installed, Pocket Law will launch automatically 8. Click the **Updates link** on the top right corner to download the latest content
9. Install the content packs you want for offline access
# African Union documents (AU) A brief guide on finding the African Union organs and the documents. To access AU organs and their documentation: 1. Go to 2. Click **African Union** on top menu bar items 3. Select African union organs from the drop down menu list.
4. Click on the AU organ whose documentation you want to search from the list of AU organs.
5. **Search the document** you want to view by typing in the search term/title and using filter to narrow the search down to the specific document you are searching for.
# Get help and support Get help when you are stuck while using LawLibrary. If you are blocked or unsure what to do next, you can contact the LawLibrary support team for help. ## Contact support 1. Open your browser and go to 2. Use the contact details on that page to reach the support team. ## Before you contact support Share these details so support can help you faster: * The page URL where the issue happened. * What you were trying to do. * Any error message shown on screen. * The device and browser you are using.