The Topic and Key Number System

Headnotes are Assigned to a Topic and Key Number

• When West receives a slip opinion, a West attorney-editor reads it and identifies the points of law discussed in the case.

• Each point of law is summarized in a headnote.

• After a careful analysis of the point of law the headnote discusses, the headnote is assigned to at least one key number in the West Topic and Key Number System.

Headnotes and the Topic and Key Number System

This headnote summarizes a point of law discussed in this case. The headnote is assigned to key number 90.1(1.2) under Topic 92 (Constitutional Law). The same headnote is also assigned to a key number under Topic 361 (Statutes).

Headnote

Key Numbers

The Topic and Key Number System is

• the index to the entire National Reporter System • a comprehensive and detailed outline of the entire body of

case law in this country• a classification system with a at least one topic and key

number attached to each point of law (headnote)

The Topic and Key Number System allows you to locate cases with the same or similar legal issues in any

jurisdiction in the United States.

• The approximately 400 topics are arranged alphabetically and numbered between 1 and 450.

• Each topic addresses a broad legal issue.

• Some topics have been added after the original 414 topics were assigned numbers – See 48A Automobiles and 48B Aviation

• Other topics have been eliminated, renamed, or reorganized. (There is no longer a topic 3.)

• Each topic is broken down into subheadings.

• There can be up to eight levels in the topic and key number hierarchy.

• This process continues until further breakdown of a point of law is unproductive and a specific key number is assigned. See, 92k90.1(1.2) above.

• There are approximately 100,000 specific key numbers.

92 Constitutional Law (Topic) 92V Personal, Civil and Political Rights (Sub-Heading)

92k90 Freedom of Speech and of the Press 92k90.1 Particular Expressions and Limitations 92k90.1(1.2) k. Election Regulations

(Specific Key Number)

The intermediate levels of the key number hierarchyare not present in the print version of this case, but theypermit useful key number searches on Westlaw when the specific key number needed cannot be identified. For example, you can search for cases assigned to any specific key numbers under subheading 92k90.

Topic number 92

Subheading 92k90

Specific Key Number

Question

The Topic and Key Number System is

1. An index to National Reporter System cases

2. An outline of American law

3. A classification system

4. All of the above

Question

The Topic and Key Number System is

1. An index to National Reporter System cases

2. An outline of American law

3. A classification system

4. All of the above