A saying goes, “the law has many loopholes.” And true enough, many legal provisions can make things confusing.
Lawyers, paralegals, researchers, and investigators must review past cases. Before the advent of the internet, they did this manually.
They had to do their research in libraries or they reviewed previous cases and records to determine what legal course of action to take.
Thankfully, there are websites now that function as a repository of information. These things are what we now call legal research platforms.
The two leading legal research platforms are Fastcase and Westlaw. Both are formidable tools that help lawyers make more intelligent decisions to fight for their cases.
However, which one is the better choice?
I will dig deep into what these two leading platforms offer in this comparison. In the end, you should be able to decide which legal tool best fits your needs.
Let’s get started!
Fastcase vs Westlaw: Introduction
What is Fastcase?
Fastcase is a legal research database that lawyers use. One can call it the “Google of legal cases.”
On this website, you can expect to find federal and state cases in the U.S. Additionally, the papers you see are all HTML, making them easier to browse and read.
You can download the files in PDF if you want, read through them in your office, and mark the essential details. However, Fastcase is not a free tool. There are two plans, which I shall discuss later on.
Essentially, Fastcase makes legal research more intelligent and accessible. As a result, lawyers can work faster and look for specific cases to advance their legal interests, especially if they want to prosecute or defend a client.
What is Westlaw?
Like Fastcase, Westlaw is a legal research database and service provider. The difference between Fastcase and Westlaw is that Westlaw operates in 60 countries.
Westlaw has more than 40,000 databases in many fields, such as case law, federal statutes, and administrative codes.
Those who use Westlaw are lawyers, judges, journalists, and politically motivated people. Researchers and bar associations can also register and use the service.
On top of these things, Westlaw also keeps information on newspaper articles, magazine content, treatises, and much more.
Westlaw has been around since 1975 and started as a publishing company called West Publishing. Thomson Corporation, known to many as Thomson Reuters, acquired West Publishing in 1996.
The beauty of Westlaw is that its branches outside the United States have their own databases. So, for example, there is a different database in Westlaw Canada, Westlaw U.K., etc.
Fastcase vs Westlaw: Free Trial
Fastcase and Westlaw offer a free trial for people who want to try their services. However, it is easier to access the free trial in Fastcase than in Westlaw.
With Westlaw, you must request a free trial by clicking on the “Request Free Trial” button and providing your personal information. If you get approved, that is the only time you can create a free trial account.
Otherwise, you must pay for the service. On the other hand, Fastcase does not have this limit. To sign up for the free trial in Fastcase, click the Free Trial button, and follow the prompts.
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Fastcase vs Westlaw: Legal Search
Fastcase
Fastcase offers three primary services.
- Legal Research
- Docket Alarm
- Next Chapter
Legal Research is their search engine. You must type your search query in a box, and it will look for all related files and cases from the database.
So, for example, if you type “arson,” it will generate many cases about the issue. If you click on a search result, you will see a copy of the document on your viewing pane.
Docket Alarm is an API that companies like law firms can integrate into their legal system. This system will automatically alert the company of new cases available on the tool, plus they can also perform an analysis in bulk.
Furthermore, Docket Alarm is an essential feature for law firms because they will get a notification of pending cases. Today, Fastcase has lists of court dockets in 34 states in the U.S.
Next Chapter is a tool that allows lawyers and their teams to prepare bankruptcy cases. It is a web application that has workflows and integration.
The good thing about Next Chapter is that the lawyer no longer has to prepare the case manually. Instead, people working on the case can collaborate online, use case management tools, and even text their clients from the system.
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Westlaw
Westlaw has several services, but at its core is what they call Westlaw Precision. It is a search engine you use to search for cases in the Westlaw library or repository.
The Precision tool allows you to search for cases that are similar to yours. The tool will show many results, and you have the option to filter these results according to your preferences.
In addition, you can add a layer of additional requirements to your queries such as
- Fact patterns
- Legal issue and outcome
- Cause of action
- Motion types and outcome
- Party type
- Area of law
Once you click on a result, you will see the Browse box. This box contains a case summary by identifying the specific legal issues closest to your search query.
The Browse box also shows you the material facts that the court used for the case. As such, you have an instant summary of what happened in the case. In addition, you can see whether or not the case is relevant to what you are looking for.
Westlaw also offers a docket search and alert feature. With this tool, you can manage your workload, strategize your next legal move, and understand past events.
Similarly, Westlaw has analytics with artificial intelligence, which it calls Litigation Analytics. Here, you can quickly assess litigation damages and evaluate the value of the litigation itself.
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Fastcase vs Westlaw: Features
Fastcase
Content
With the premium plan on Fastcase, you can access the following:
- U.S. Supreme Court Decisions
- U.S. Courts of Appeals Decisions
- U.S. District Court Decisions
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court Decisions
- State Supreme and Appellate Courts
- Nationwide Statutes, Regulations
- Court Rules
Bad Law Bot
This feature is an authority checker. As a user, you will see if the court has duly noted that a case has been treated negatively and if the case has been overturned or overruled.
In addition to the change in the ruling, you will also see the grounds for the decision. The results page will also show negative histories and the opinion of the court that overrode the initial ruling.
When the Bad Law Bot activates, it will show a red flag on the case you are viewing. In the premium plan, the red flag has a clickable link that will take you to a more comprehensive document about the decision.
Partner Content
Partner Content refers to legal forms and other documents that you may find helpful in your research. You will get access to legal archives, newspaper archives, and federal filings.
You may pay additional fees for accessing partner documentation, as these come from third-party sources. If you do not want to pay the fees, you can do independent research with Fastcase’s partners, such as NewsLibrary.com and Justia.com.
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Docket Alarm Features
Docket Alarm is a cutting-edge technology that gives you notifications for new cases, specifically PACER cases.
PACER means Public Access to Court Electronic Records. Instead of you going through this system, Fastcase has already automated the entire thing. You only have to subscribe to get these notices.
With Docket Alarm, you can:
- See the argument in the legal briefing
- Find an example complaint
- Look for documents that come from a specific lawyer
- Find rulings by a particular judge
- Look for upcoming cases
The Docket Alarm feature opens you up to around one billion documents filed in federal courts. Docket Alarm used to be a separate entity from Fastcase, but Fastcase acquired it.
Next Chapter
Lawyers who take bankruptcy cases will find this tool a valuable one. It is a complete suite of programs that allows you to process your bankruptcy cases.
Here are some of the things you can do with it:
- Store documents in the cloud
- Share the documents with colleagues for collaboration
- Use case management tools
- Automate the updates on the cases
- Use workflow sheets and system
- Integrate the tool with your calendar
You can also use the tool to file cases. Furthermore, it has a hearing scheduler, plus many other important tools that you will find useful in getting the job done for your client.
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Westlaw
Building Outlines
After searching for cases, the tool allows you to create an outline so you can build your strategy. You can do this directly inside the tool.
The outline tool has a drag-and-drop functionality to build your document from templates. In it, you can drag important citations that you may need in your legal brief or argument. There is no need to copy them manually.
Related Cases
The Westlaw research tool does not only show you relevant results but also shows cases related to what you are looking for.
Why do you need this? The law changes over time, and this relationship-based query output can help you understand how similar cases have changed over time.
KeyCite
The KeyCite tool gives you a view of the specific law in a case that the courts invalidated. In addition, it tells you the risk of a possible overruling so you can plan accordingly.
KeyCite is a citation service that is proprietary to Westlaw. It will help you review the history of a case or cases, the particular law in question, and what administrative decisions were made in these cases.
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Quick Check and Analytics
One of the best features of Westlaw is you can upload a document, even from your legal opponent, and the tool will show you reports related to it.
For example, the Quick Check function will show warnings, cited authorities, and relevant authorities in conjunction with your uploaded document.
Litigation Analytics is what you need to get insights from judges, law firms, and other lawyers about a case. With these statistical insights, you can provide guidance to your clients and build a better strategy to win your case.
Fastcase vs Westlaw: Mobile Application
Fastcase
Fastcase has an app on Android and iOS. However, the app is a tad choosy as far as the device is concerned and it is not compatible with all tablets and phones.
Here are the things you can do with the app:
- Search for cases by using keywords
- Search for American statutes
- Customize and filter your search queries
- You can mark documents as “favorite” and save them for easy access later
- Sync the app with your desktop Fastcase program
Data transfer between the app and your phone gets encrypted. The app may also collect certain data types from you as a user.
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Westlaw
Westlaw also has an app on both Android and iOS platforms. However, like Fastcase, there are only specific devices where the Westlaw app would work.
In addition, the app, like Fastcase, is not downloadable worldwide. The app is only available to the countries where Westlaw operates.
Here are the features of the app:
- Already synced with the website app so there’s no need to create new credentials
- Synchronized search so that what you search on mobile will show on your PC when you log in
- The app accesses the proprietary library of Westlaw
- You can save your searches and organize them into folders
- You can take notes in the app itself
- You can directly email a document to yourself or a colleague if you think it helps
If you sign up for the company’s services, the Westlaw app is a great addition to what you already have. It also makes things more accessible while you are on the go.
Fastcase vs Westlaw: Integrations
Fastcase
You can integrate Fastcase with Clio, a legal billing tool.
In addition, you can also sync Fastcase with HeinOnline, a commercial internet database for all types of research. To complete the integration, you must have an account on both platforms.
Although the automated integration seems limited, Fastcase does have a legal data API. If you integrate this API into your IT infrastructure, you will receive data fees from both Fastcase and Docket Alarm.
With the API, you can customize the feed you want to receive. You can also program it in such a way that you can send the feed’s content to third-party dashboards.
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Westlaw
You can integrate Westlaw with the law firm management tool, Firm Central, and other products of Thomson Reuters.
To integrate both, you must get a Westlaw widget, which you can do by going to your Firm Central dashboard.
Westlaw also has an API that you can integrate with your software programs. The API allows you to add the Westlaw platform to your workflows and internal procedures.
With Westlaw, you can choose which part of the system you want to integrate. The choices are SEC Filings API from Westlaw Edge, Westlaw Edge Litigation Analytics, Practical Law Data API, and Dockets API from Westlaw Edge.
Fastcase vs Westlaw: Customer Support
Fastcase
Fastcase offers several types of support to its clients via webinars, video tutorials, documentation, references, and mobile sync applications.
For customer service, Fastcase has several methods by which you can raise issues. You can reach them by email, phone, and chat.
Fastcase has a dedicated page for its webinar schedule. However, the topics vary, and you must register for a seat before you can attend.
I like that Fastcase has tons of references, guides, and even video tutorials that will help you understand how to use the system. They even have a YouTube channel!
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Westlaw
Westlaw has three main phone numbers to call, which you can find on their support page. These departments are:
- Research support
- Technical support
- Account support
Westlaw also has many references and guides, which you can easily access on the support page. What I like is that the website has a search bar where you can type your query if you need help.
Depending on your subscription, you can chat with an attorney through Westlaw, especially if you subscribe to the Edge product. This live chat is available on weekdays from 7 AM to 10 PM CST.
Finally, Westlaw also has a YouTube channel under Thomson Reuters Legal. Here, you will find the help you need via video walkthroughs.
Fastcase vs Westlaw: Pricing
Fastcase
- Appellate Plan – You can choose between monthly and annual plans, priced at $65 and $695, respectively. However, this plan does not allow you to download or view U.S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court Decisions.
- Premium Plan – Similar to the Appellate Plan, the monthly and annual costs are $95 and $995, respectively. However, the Premium Plan does not limit the information you can access.
Fastcase also has an Enterprise Plan for large law firms. You need to contact their sales department for pricing.
In addition, Fastcase offers different plans and pricing for their Docket Alarm and Next Chapter features. The prices discussed here are for Legal Research only.
Check the Fastcase Pricing page for the latest updates.
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Westlaw
- Westlaw Edge Single State Primary Law – You can only access documents in your chosen state under this plan. Therefore, it is ideal for lawyers who only practice in one state.
- Westlaw Edge All States Primary Law – This plan gives you access to all documents in your chosen country. However, you will not have access to federal laws and records.
- Westlaw Edge All States and Federal Primary Law – This is the most expensive plan, but it also gives you unlimited access to the documents you need at the state and federal levels.
The price for Westlaw Precision is by request only. The ones above are for Westlaw Edge, which does not have all the services of Westlaw Precision. Also, the prices mentioned here are only for one user. You will have to pay more if you want to provide access to several users.
Check the Westlaw Pricing page for the latest updates.
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Fastcase vs Westlaw: Pros & Cons
Fastcase
Pros
- It has an app for both Android and iOS
- There is a Docket Alert feature
- It uses an analysis program with AI technology
- The Next Chapter feature allows people to collaborate
- Data on judges’ rulings are accessible
- You can research public records
- There is an API you can integrate with your enterprise resource management software
- You can filter your searches
- You can download files in PDF or DOCX format
- You can share your research with others
Cons
- The app cost is per person and you’ll need to spend more for multiple users
- The Docket Alarm and Next Case features have separate fees
Westlaw
Pros
- The service is available in many countries
- It has an app for Android and iOS
- It has a docket search functionality
- The interface is easy to navigate
- The files are downloadable in PDF
- You can organize your research into folders
Cons
- Westlaw is more expensive than Fastcase
- Too many programs to choose from with different capabilities
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Similarities & Differences
| FEATURE | FASTCASE | WESTLAW |
| Research Tool | ✅ | ✅ |
| Docket Alarm | ✅ | ✅ |
| Search Filter | ✅ | ✅ |
| Analytics | ✅ | ✅ |
| International Database | ❌ | ✅ |
| API & Integration | ✅ | ✅ |
| Android App | ✅ | ✅ |
| iOS App | ✅ | ✅ |
| Free Trial | ✅ | ✅ |
| Phone Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Chat Support | ✅ | ✅ |
| Training Videos | ✅ | ✅ |
| References and Resources | ✅ | ✅ |
| File Download | ✅ | ✅ |
Verdict: Fastcase vs Westlaw – Which is Better?
Between Fastcase and Westlaw, I recommend Westlaw, not only because it is international but because it has everything that you can possibly ask for. From a perspective of features, Westlaw has more to offer than Fastcase.
What I love about Westlaw is that Thomson Reuters owns it. So, with a prestigious company backing it up, Westlaw has a group of people working on the system to make it seamless.
Fastcase, on the other hand, seems to be purchasing other programs and then integrating them into its platform. This can result in compatibility and functionality problems.
Finally, you can integrate Westlaw with other Thomson Reuters products. If you are already invested in Thomson Reuters, you can leverage the volume of information and tools that Thomson Reuters has to offer all in a single “universe.”
