Fundamental Sources | American Law Reports
Great places to begin or expand your research

| American Law Reports (A.L.R.) is comprised of several sets that look fairly similar. They are chronological, thus A.L.R.2d contains information older than A.L.R.3d, and so forth. However, one set of A.L.R. does not replace the earlier set. It just continues annotating selected cases from that point forward. So if you find a case and its annotation in A.L.R.3d, unless it has been superseded by a later annotation, it is still just as valid as a case or annotation in a more recent set. But how does the researcher know whether the cases or annotations have been superseded? As we will see, each set of A.L.R. is updated, but in varying ways. So it is always critical that, once an annotation is located, the researcher check to see if it has been updated in a supplement.
| THE INDEX The index provides a citation that leads to a form in the main volumes. The citation will contain a volume, series, and page number. For example: 78 A.L.R.4th 914 The index that the researcher should use is a multi-volume set called the A.L.R. Index. An example of one of the volumes of the index is pictured here. This set of indexes includes references to all sets of A.L.R. except A.L.R. 1st Series. That set is quite old, dating back to the 1930's and 1940's, and is rarely relied upon. If you needed to access this set, however, it has its own index, which is an orange color. Some libraries also keep older indexes for A.L.R.2d and 3d. It is not advised that the researcher utilize these indexes without also checking the more recent, and more comprehensive, A.L.R. Index shown here. Also, be sure to refer to the pocket part (supplement) in the back of the index.
| THE MAIN VOLUME The index provides a citation that leads to a form in the main volumes. The citation will contain a volume, series, and page number. For example: 78 A.L.R.4th 914 The index that the researcher should use is a multi-volume set called the A.L.R. Index. An example of one of the volumes of the index is pictured here. This set of indexes includes references to all sets of A.L.R. except A.L.R. 1st Series. That set is quite old, dating back to the 1930's and 1940's, and is rarely relied upon. If you needed to access this set, however, it has its own index, which is an orange color. Some libraries also keep older indexes for A.L.R.2d and 3d. It is not advised that the researcher utilize these indexes without also checking the more recent, and more comprehensive, A.L.R. Index shown here. Also, be sure to refer to the pocket part (supplement) in the back of the index.
| MORE . . . Above are volumes from several of the sets of A.L.R. In order, they are: A.L.R. (first series): Even the pages look old! But if you find authority in this set, you would normally look for an update in the pocket part. But this set does not have pocket parts! So how are they updated? The answer is, the A.L.R. Bluebook of Supplemental Decisions. Click on the (you guessed it!) blue book second from the left. BLUE BOOK OF SUPPLEMENTAL DECISIONS This set acts as a hard bound update to the first series of A.L.R. (first series). Make sure to check the pocket part in this supplement! A.L.R. 2d As with all sets of A.L.R., the selected cases published in A.L.R.2d are found immediately prior to the annotation. So if you are led to an annotation by the index, the case upon which the annotation is based is found right before the annotation. A.L.R. 2d also has no pocket parts, and is updated by the A.L.R.2d Later Case Service. It is blue, and is the fourth book from the left above. A.L.R.2d LATER CASE SERVICE This set updates A.L.R.2d. Simply find the corresponding volume number on the spine of the book, then turn to the corresponding page in the book. Check it's pocket parts. A.L.R. 3d A.L.R. (first series) through A.L.R.3d series contain annotations and selected cases from both state and federal courts. A.L.R.3d is the first set to use pocket parts for updating. So always check the pocket part. A.L.R.3d is also the last set to annotate both state and federal cases. A.L.R.4th, and subsequent series, contain only state cases and their annotations. A.L.R. Federal now contains federal cases and annotations. A.L.R. 4TH The pocket parts in A.L.R.4th contain more than just updates to the annotations. They also provide some new research tools, such as West Key Number references and sample Electronic Search Queries. A.L.R.5th The formatting of the annotations change significantly in A.L.R.5th. Not only are the research tools expanded, the font is bigger. And the cases upon which the annotations are based are collected in the back of the book, instead of prior to the annotation. A.L.R.6th This series continues in basically the same structure as A.L.R. 5th. As it is the most recent set, it includes the most recent cases and annotations. A.L.R. 6th is not pictured in the stacks of books above.) A.L.R. FEDERAL A.L.R. Fed., obviously, contains selected federal cases and annotations of those cases. Of course, make sure to check the pocket parts. A.L.R. INDEX This set of indexes should always be used. It is an index to each set of A.L.R., except A.L.R. first series. A.L.R. DIGEST (not pictured) Some libraries contain sets of A.L.R. Digests for some series. The cases digested are those published in A.L.R. While not the most effective research tool, they are simply another way to access the main volumes of this incredible series of books.