The legal research landscape is dominated by a few key players, with Westlaw long considered the gold standard. However, alternative platforms like Fastcase have emerged, offering compelling features and pricing structures. This article aims to provide a comprehensive comparison of Fastcase and Westlaw, helping legal professionals and researchers determine which platform best suits their needs.
| Feature | Fastcase | Westlaw |
|---|---|---|
| Content Coverage | Primarily US law, including federal and state cases, statutes, regulations, constitutions, and some administrative materials. Expansion into international law is ongoing. | Extensive coverage of US law, including federal and state cases, statutes, regulations, constitutions, administrative materials, and secondary sources like treatises, law reviews, and legal forms. Also boasts significant international law resources. |
| Search Functionality | Boolean search, natural language search (using "forecite"), and advanced filtering options. Integrated keyword and citation analysis tools. Analytics tools provide insights into case law trends and judicial behavior. | Boolean search, natural language search (Westlaw Edge with AI-powered features), KeyCite citator, and extensive filtering capabilities. Offers advanced search operators and customizable alerts. Westlaw Edge incorporates AI for enhanced legal research and predictive analytics. |
| Citator Services | Authority Check provides citation verification, warning flags for negative treatment, and links to citing references. Rely heavily on parallel citations. | KeyCite is a comprehensive citator providing direct history, negative treatment flags, and depth of treatment analysis. Identifies cases that have overruled, distinguished, or otherwise affected the precedential value of a case. |
| Secondary Sources | Limited selection of secondary sources, including some law reviews and treatises. Focus is primarily on primary law. | Vast library of secondary sources, including American Law Reports (ALR), American Jurisprudence (AmJur), law reviews, treatises, and legal forms. Provides in-depth analysis and commentary on legal topics. |
| Analytics & Visualization | Analytics tools provide insights into case law trends and judicial behavior. Integrated with Ravel Law's visualization tools. | Westlaw Edge incorporates AI-powered analytics for legal research and predictive analytics. Predictive analytics tools help assess the likelihood of success in litigation. |
| User Interface & Experience | Modern, clean, and intuitive interface. Easy to navigate and use, even for beginners. | More complex interface that can be overwhelming for new users. Requires a steeper learning curve to master all features. Westlaw Edge offers a more streamlined experience. |
| Pricing | Typically included as a member benefit by many state bar associations, offering free or heavily discounted access. Subscription models are also available, generally more affordable than Westlaw. | Subscription-based pricing, often based on usage and content accessed. Can be significantly more expensive than Fastcase, especially for comprehensive access. |
| Customer Support | Responsive customer support via phone, email, and online resources. | Extensive customer support resources, including phone, email, online tutorials, and training sessions. Dedicated account managers for larger clients. |
| Mobile Access | Mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. | Mobile app available for iOS and Android devices. |
| Integration with Practice Management Software | Integrates with some practice management software platforms. | Integrates with a wide range of practice management software platforms, including Thomson Reuters PracticePoint and Clio. |
| Alerts | Email alerts for new cases, statutes, and regulations. | Customizable alerts for new cases, statutes, regulations, and news articles. Ability to create highly specific alerts based on keywords, jurisdictions, and other criteria. |
| Training Resources | Online tutorials, webinars, and documentation. | Extensive training resources, including online tutorials, webinars, in-person training sessions, and dedicated support staff. |
| Depth of Historical Data | Varies depending on jurisdiction. Generally good coverage of recent case law and statutes, but may have limitations on older materials. | Extensive historical data, including older case law, statutes, and regulations. Provides access to materials dating back centuries. |
| International Law Resources | Growing collection of international law resources, including treaties and international court decisions. | Significant international law resources, including treaties, international court decisions, and foreign legal materials. |
| Editorial Enhancements | Limited editorial enhancements compared to Westlaw. | Extensive editorial enhancements, including headnotes, digests, and key numbers, which provide valuable context and analysis. |
| Search Customization | Basic search customization options. | Highly customizable search options, allowing users to refine their searches with precision. |
Detailed Explanations
Content Coverage: The breadth of legal materials available. Westlaw offers a significantly wider range of content, including extensive secondary sources and historical data, making it ideal for comprehensive research. Fastcase primarily focuses on primary law and is expanding its international law offerings.
Search Functionality: How effectively you can find relevant information. Both platforms offer robust search capabilities, but Westlaw Edge leverages AI for more sophisticated results. Fastcase utilizes boolean and natural language search with integrated analytics.
Citator Services: Tools for verifying the current validity of legal precedents. Westlaw's KeyCite is widely regarded as the gold standard, providing comprehensive citation analysis. Fastcase's Authority Check offers similar functionality, highlighting negative treatment, but may not be as exhaustive.
Secondary Sources: Analytical materials such as law reviews, treatises, and legal forms. Westlaw boasts a vast library of secondary sources, providing in-depth analysis and commentary. Fastcase's selection is more limited.
Analytics & Visualization: Tools for understanding legal trends and judicial behavior. Both platforms offer analytics, with Westlaw Edge integrating AI-powered predictive analytics. Fastcase integrates with Ravel Law's visualization tools.
User Interface & Experience: The ease of navigating and using the platform. Fastcase offers a modern, intuitive interface, while Westlaw's interface can be more complex. Westlaw Edge aims to streamline the user experience.
Pricing: The cost of accessing the platform. Fastcase is often included as a member benefit by state bar associations, making it a more affordable option. Westlaw's subscription-based pricing can be significantly more expensive.
Customer Support: The availability and quality of assistance. Both platforms offer customer support, with Westlaw providing extensive resources and dedicated account managers for larger clients.
Mobile Access: The ability to use the platform on mobile devices. Both Fastcase and Westlaw offer mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Integration with Practice Management Software: The ability to connect the platform with other legal tools. Westlaw integrates with a wider range of practice management software platforms.
Alerts: The ability to receive notifications about new legal developments. Both platforms offer alerts, with Westlaw allowing for more customizable and specific alerts.
Training Resources: The availability of materials to help users learn the platform. Westlaw offers extensive training resources, while Fastcase provides online tutorials and webinars.
Depth of Historical Data: The availability of older legal materials. Westlaw offers more extensive historical data than Fastcase.
International Law Resources: The availability of legal materials from other countries. Westlaw offers more robust international law resources compared to Fastcase.
Editorial Enhancements: The additional features added by the legal publisher to improve understanding. Westlaw offers extensive editorial enhancements, like headnotes and key numbers, while Fastcase has limited enhancements.
Search Customization: The ability to tailor searches to specific needs. Westlaw offers highly customizable search options, while Fastcase provides basic search customization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fastcase completely free? Fastcase is often included as a member benefit by state bar associations, providing free or heavily discounted access to members. Otherwise, subscription plans are available.
Does Westlaw offer a trial period? Yes, Westlaw typically offers a free trial period to new users, allowing them to explore the platform's features and content.
Which platform is better for beginners? Fastcase is generally considered easier to learn and use, making it a good choice for beginners.
Does Fastcase have KeyCite? No, Fastcase has Authority Check, which serves a similar function to Westlaw's KeyCite but may not be as comprehensive.
Which platform is more expensive? Westlaw is generally more expensive than Fastcase, particularly for comprehensive access to its full range of content.
Can I access Fastcase and Westlaw on my phone? Yes, both Fastcase and Westlaw offer mobile apps for iOS and Android devices.
Does Westlaw use AI? Yes, Westlaw Edge incorporates AI-powered features for enhanced legal research and predictive analytics.
Is Fastcase good for federal law research? Yes, Fastcase provides comprehensive coverage of federal law, including cases, statutes, and regulations.
Does Westlaw have international law resources? Yes, Westlaw offers significant international law resources, including treaties and international court decisions.
Which platform has better customer support? Westlaw is known for its extensive customer support resources, including dedicated account managers for larger clients.
Conclusion
Choosing between Fastcase and Westlaw depends heavily on individual needs and budget. Fastcase offers a more affordable and user-friendly option, particularly for those primarily focused on primary law, while Westlaw provides a more comprehensive and feature-rich platform with extensive secondary sources and AI-powered tools, justifying its higher cost for users needing in-depth research capabilities.