Legal Research

CanLII Keyword Gems

By Dan Michaluk

The algorithm for generating CanLII keywords sure spits out some gems. Take this real CanLII keyword string, for example:

• underwear ? negligence ? wearing blue acid washed jeans ? defence ? lawyer

How could one not link through to figure out what kind of negligence case could involve a pair of blue acid wash jeans? The fact that the word “underwear” comes before “negligence” makes this list of keywords even better. Could it be that negligence is now part of the “law of underwear”?

Here are some other goodies:

• lifejacket ? flip flops ? cordless ? daughter ? bed
• alibi ? funny ? floppy disk ? email ? evidence
• want stuff like lazy starting ? officials ? workload ? luncheon ? services

Of course, I mean no slight to CanLII and LexUM. Proprietor and producer (of this 100% free service) may not like that their search technology has caused me a distraction, but my own view is that these are wonderful for the way they capture the imagination. Let me also say that I adore CanLII and find the keyword feature a true benefit, its humorous aspect aside.

Now that I’ve got the niceties aside, I’ll invite you to post your favorites below.

Full post as published by Slaw.ca on June 15, 2010 (boomark / email).