In legal research, what is a "key number"?

A "key number" is part of a categorization system utilized within Westlaw, which is a prominent legal research database. This system assigns numerical codes to legal concepts, cases, statutes, and other legal materials to streamline the research process and help users find related legal resources more efficiently. Each key number corresponds to a specific legal topic or principle, allowing researchers to access a variety of cases, secondary sources, and annotations related to that topic in Westlaw.

Using key numbers significantly enhances the legal research process, as it enables legal professionals to explore an expansive area of law without having to rely solely on keywords or phrases. Westlaw’s key number system organizes vast amounts of legal information systematically, making it easier to navigate complex legal issues.