Beyond case reporters: using newspapers to supplement the legal-historical record (A case study of blasphemous libel)

Article

Patrick, Jeremy. 2011. "Beyond case reporters: using newspapers to supplement the legal-historical record (A case study of blasphemous libel)." Drexel Law Review. 3 (2), pp. 539-560.
Article Title

Beyond case reporters: using newspapers to supplement the legal-historical record (A case study of blasphemous libel)

Article CategoryArticle
Authors
AuthorPatrick, Jeremy
Journal TitleDrexel Law Review
Journal Citation3 (2), pp. 539-560
Number of Pages22
Year2011
Place of PublicationPhiladelphia, PA. United States
Web Address (URL)http://earlemacklaw.drexel.edu/~/media/Files/law/law%20review/spring_2011/Patrick.ashx
Abstract

Judicial opinions selected for inclusion in case law reporters are only a small fraction of the universe of legal materials that may provide insight into the history of how legal concepts work in practice. This article examines a neglected source of information: newspaper archives, many of which are becoming available in full-text electronic databases. This article argues that newspapers are a valuable supplement and corrective to legal research performed through traditional means. It includes a test case of how research on a discrete legal topic (Canada's prohibition on blasphemous libel) turns up very different results in newspaper archives compared to case reporters.

Keywordsnewspapers; newspaper archives; non-traditional legal research
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020489999. Other law and legal studies not elsewhere classified
430321. North American history
500405. Religion, society and culture
Public Notes

The Drexel Law Review is too new to be included in the 2010 ARC journal list. American law journals are not formally peer reviewed, but their editorial processes are considered the equivalent of peer review by the ARC.

Byline AffiliationsYork University, Canada
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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