Researching Foreign Law:
A Tutorial by the Georgetown University Law
Library
Part I: Overview of Foreign Law Research
Copyright 2010 Georgetown University Law Library.
What Is Foreign Law?
Foreign law can be defined as: generally, the law of another country (Black's
Law dictionary (8th ed. 2004)).
"Foreign Law" is sometimes used by US legal researchers when referring to
the national law of any country other than the United States" (Marci Hoffman
& Mary Rumsey, International and Foreign Legal Research: A Coursebook
(2008)).
Tutorial Outline
In this tutorial you can learn about...
 how to locate translations of foreign legal resources and
 how to locate foreign language legal resources
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Is Foreign Language Proficiency Required to
Locate Foreign Laws?

No, it is not necessary; however, you will have to rely on
someone else's translations and interpretation of the relevant
legal resources.
 Even those proficient in a foreign language need to verify that
they are using the relevant legal language and resources.
Is There Always an Official Translation?
No, but sometimes you can find summaries or unofficial
translations.
Secondary resources (e.g. books, journal articles) are always a
good place to look for citations both to the original language and
to translations!
A Few More Points about Translations
Translations can be located in many different places (i.e. there is
no "one" database, etc.)
1) Official translations are rarities.
2) Governments generally only have one official language, but sometimes they can have more than
one.
3) Reasonable minds can disagree on the "correct" translation. Whenever possible try to find
multiple translations for comparison.
4) When using any translation, note who created it, when it was created, and the date of the law
translated. A translation could be very recent but the law could be superseded.
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Foreign Legal Resources Vary Greatly
However, there are some similar basic categories:
 Constitutions
 Cases
 Statutes/Codes
 Commentary
What's Ahead?
You can learn about how to locate foreign language and
translations of
 Constitutions
 Cases
 Statutes/Codes
 Commentary
The next part of this tutorial will teach you how to locate foreign
constitutions.
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Researching Foreign Law:
A Tutorial by the Georgetown University Law
Library
Part II: Finding Foreign Constitutions
Copyright 2010 Georgetown University Law Library.
Some Background First ...
Constitutions outline the governmental structure and basic
legal principles governing a jurisdiction.
There may be multiple sources of authority (e.g. religious law,
etc.), but the constitution is usually the supreme law governing
a jurisdiction.
A constitution can be amended regularly.
Also, depending on the jurisdiction, a written constitution may
not exist.
Now, how to find a constitution . . .
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A Translation of a Constitution
 You may find a translation online, but rarely as an
official document, even if posted by the foreign
government.
 Official translations are a rarity, even in print.
Sometimes a current translation may be hard to find.
Now, how to find a constitution . . .
Locating Translations of Constitutions
Some of the most frequently used databases (free and subscription
based) are...
 Constitution Finder (Free- hosted by the University of Richmond)
 International Constitutional Law (Free - collaborative effort hosted
by the Institut für öffentliches Recht, Universität Bern - materials in
English)
 Constitutions of the Countries of the World (Georgetown Law Only)
 HeinOnline: World Constitutions Illustrated (Georgetown Law Only)
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Research Problem:
Locate a translation of Mexico's constitution.
We Are Going to Look in ...
Constitutions of the Countries of the World, is a
subscription database with background information,
bibliographies and timely translations of
constitutions from around the world.
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Tip: this list is the best way to look for a translation.
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Tip: Notice the background information and resources for further research.
Tip: Notice the translations of previous versions.
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Here is the Answer to the Research Problem
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Tip: The constitution is current as of this date, not when the translation occurred.
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Tip: the Table of Contents provides an overview of the organization of the Mexican constitution.
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Tip: Included are a few original language terms.
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Tip: When available, this links to a PDF of the foreign language resource that was translated.
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Locating a Foreign Language Version of a
Constitution
Official Texts
Official versions of foreign language constitutions are
generally only available in print.

Online versions are rarely official even when provided
on a government web site.
 Depending on the jurisdiction, official versions can be
difficult to locate.
Now, how to find a constitution . . .
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Research Problem:
Locate Mexico's constitution in the original language.
Where to Start?
One of the best places to start is Foreign Law Guide, a subscription
database with information about
 official publications;
 legal history and structure; and
 available online resources.
Now, we will look in Foreign Law Guide. . .
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Tip: This list is the fastest way to find a jurisdiction.
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Tip: Available information varies by jurisdiction.
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Tip: Direct links to online resources are annotated.
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Tip: Notice the date for this version of the constitution.
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Tip: These links allow for easy navigation to each article of the constitution. is the Answer to the
Research Problem
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Tip: These are the dates when this was published in the Diario Oficial.
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Tip: An advantage of this resource is its linking to recent amendments.
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Tip: The most recent consolidated version of the constitution was from 10 Abril 2010 - there are already
new amendments.
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Tip: This PDF of the Diario Oficial is freely available online for only one month after publication- then it
is only available in print or online through a subscription.
The next part of this tutorial will teach you how to find foreign statutes
and codes.
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Researching Foreign Law:
A Tutorial by the Georgetown University Law
Library
Part III: Finding Foreign Statutes & Codes
Copyright 2010 Georgetown University Law Library.
Some Background First ...
Statutes/Codes...
 Do not have effect outside of their national boundaries, but can
regulate foreign entities within their boundaries.
 Can determine the principles of law to a greater extent than case
law in civil law jurisdictions.
Official versions are generally only available in the original language
and in print. They are published in gazettes. Official translations are
rare.
Now, how to find statutes/codes...
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Locating a Translation of a Statute/Code
Research Problem:
Locate a translation of Poland's antitrust law.
Where to Start?
Foreign Law Guide, a subscription database, is one of the
best places to start
It is organized by jurisdiction and
 provides citations to statute/codes
 provides links to and/or further information about
how to locate translations.
Next, we will look at the Foreign Law Guide database.
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Tip: This list is the fastest way to find a jurisdiction.
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Tip: Notice there is a brief legislative history of the act, along with citation to a current legal analysis of
the relevant statute/code.
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Tip: Foreign Law Guide indicated "consumer protection" covers the topic of antirust.
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Locating a Foreign Language Version of a
Statute/Code
Research Problem:
Locate Poland's antitrust law in the original language.
Where to Start?
Besides using Google, how would you locate a
foreign language version of a statute/code?
One place to start is WorldLII, a free database
including selective statutes/codes from around the
world.
Next, we will look at the WorldLII.
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Tip: Notice the other resources and information; "Legislation" is also a good choice.
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Tip: This link goes to the relevant government section, which regulates competition law (including
antitrust).
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Tip: This is a select list of relevant laws and requires updating -there is no guarantee they are current.
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The next part of this tutorial will teach you how to find foreign case
law.
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Researching Foreign Law:
A Tutorial by the Georgetown University Law
Library
Part IV: Foreign Case Law Research
Copyright 2010 Georgetown University Law Library.
Some Background First ...
Foreign case law...
 is not always officially published, or published at all;
 does not always have precedential value - i.e. determine the
rule for future similar cases;
 is less of an influence on the principles of law in civil law
jurisdictions; and
 may not be translated
Official translations are rare.
Now, how to find case law. . .
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Locating Translations of Case Law
Translations of Case Law
 Translations of case law may be available online, but rarely
as an official document, even if provided by government;
 can take a long time to appear after the original language
version;
 can appear as summaries (i.e. mentioned in a law review
article, loose-leaf etc.) faster than full text translation; and
 may sometimes not be available.
Now, how to find a translation of case law. . .
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Locating Translations of Case Law
There is no "one-stop shopping" or central database with all
the case law of the world translated.
The following secondary resources are good places to look:
 Journal Articles
 e.g. U.S. and Foreign journals
 Yearbooks
 e.g. Netherlands Yearbook of international law
 Web sites of legal institutions, organization, etc.,
 e.g. Derecho.org
 Law Reports
 e.g. African Human Rights Law Reports, International
Law Reports
Research Problem
Locate a translation of a case from the Netherlands, where the
parties could not file for divorce in Malta but could in the
Netherlands.
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One Place to Start
A yearbook may be a good starting point.
Yearbooks highlight significant legal developments within the last
year.
Yearbooks can cover a jurisdiction with a range of legal topics (e.g.
Japanese Yearbook of International law).
They can cover a topic with a range of jurisdictions (e.g. the
Yearbook of Environmental Law).
Some yearbooks have full text translations of case law; others will
only have an article, a summary, etc. (which can help determine if a
translation is available).
Next, we will look at a yearbook. . .
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Tip: This information indicates how, why and where they get their legal information.
Tip: This yearbook is available (in print and online) through the Georgetown Law Catalog.
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Tip: Search with the keywords Malta and divorce.
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Tip: This search result mentions judicial decisions.
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Tip: This indicates which courts, when and how the case law was collected.
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Tip: This citation is to the original case - the correct citation for the translation would be to the
Yearbook. is the Answer to the Research Problem
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Tip: "person's status" is a phrase that has a particular legal meaning; knowledge of a jurisdiction's legal
structure will help you spot legal terms of art.
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Locating Foreign Language Case Law
Some Background First...
Foreign language case law


may be online but rarely as an official document, even if
provided by a government;

may or may not be readily available in print or online (varies by
jurisdiction); and
is rarely reported completely in just one database or publication.
Now, how to find foreign language case law. . .
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Locating Foreign Language Cases
Locating case law requires a mix of print and electronic
resources. Below is a brief list of places to start:
 Foreign Law Guide (subscription database) indicates the major
publications of case law and if they are online and/or in print.
 The World Law Guide (Lexadin)-Court & Cases section (free
online) has links to the various courts within jurisdictions
throughout the world.
 WorldLII is a free web site including selective case law from
around the world.
Research Problem:
Locate, in the original language, a Netherlands case where the
parties could not file for divorce in Malta but could in the
Netherlands.
Where to Start ...
WorldLII does not have complete full text access to all the
case law for all the jurisdictions of the world.
However, for many jurisdictions, there are briefly annotated
links for locating foreign law cases in the original language.
Next, we will look at WorldLII . . .
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Tip: WorldLII is available at http://www.worldlii.org.
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Here is the Answer to the Research Problem
The next part of this tutorial will teach you how to find commentary
on foreign law.
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Researching Foreign Law:
A Tutorial by the Georgetown University Law
Library
Part V: Finding Commentary
Copyright 2010 Georgetown University Law Library.
Some Background First
Commentary
 may be found in secondary sources, such as books, journal
articles, loose-leafs, etc.;
 can be considered on the same level with primary sources in civil
legal systems; and
 may be a mix of print and online resources.
Now, how to find a commentary . . .
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Locating Commentary
Commentary can be located by topic or jurisdiction or a combination of both.
These types of secondary sources are good places to look:
 Books
 topic- Women's Land Rights & Privatization in Eastern Africa
 jurisdiction- Canadian Constitutional Law
 Journal articles
 Singapore Journal of Legal Studies
 many foreign law journals are online (search beyond Lexis and
Westlaw)
 Legal Encyclopedias
 International Encyclopedia for Labour Law and Industrial Relations

Halsbury's Laws of England
Research Problem:
Locate commentary on "common law marriage" in Sweden.
Where to Start?
By keyword searching in the Georgetown Law Library catalog,
you can quickly locate books, e-books and even chapters in
books on this topic.
Books can quickly provide you with
 a comprehensive overview of a legal topic; and
 a wealth of additional resources through citations and footnotes
to translations and foreign language resources.
Next, we will search in the Georgetown Law Library catalog . . .
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Tip: keyword will retrieve results from any place these words appear.
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Tip: Notice both a print and e-book are available for this text.
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Tip: You can click on the title for more information about the book.
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Tip: Search within this book for "Sweden" to locate commentary by selecting this option.
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Tip: The footnote on the legal history of cohabitation of unmarried couples is hyper linked making it
easy to access and read.
Here is commentary to answer the Research Problem
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Tip: This book would be another resource for more commentary on this topic.
How do you find a copy of this book?
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Tip: Searching by title is a fast way to locate a book in law library.
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Tip: INTL is the John Wolff International and Comparative Law Library located in Hotung.
Here is more commentary to answer the Research Problem
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Tip: Going back to the Common Law Marriage e-book from before, there are more current resources
listed in the footnote. What is SC.ST.L.?
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Deciphering Legal Abbreviations
This brief list is a good place to start:
 Index to Legal Citations and Abbreviations by
Raistrick INTL K85 .R3 2008
 Bieber's Dictionary of Legal Abbreviations INTL REF KF246 .B46 2001 and
on Lexis (Legal > Reference > Law > Bieber's Dictionary of Legal
Abbreviations)
 Cardiff Index to Legal Abbreviations, free online provided by the Information
Services, Cardiff University with publications from over 295 jurisdictions
Next, we will decipher "SC.ST.L." in Cardiff Index . . .
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Tip: The Cardiff Index is available at http://www.legalabbrevs.cardiff.ac.uk/.
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How do you find this journal?
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Tip: Searching by title is a fast way to locate a journal in law library.
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Tip: Both print and online are available.
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What was the citation? 38 Sc.St. L. 197, 206 (1999).
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Here is more commentary Research Problem
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Tip: Going back to the Common Law Marriage e-book from before, there are even more resources for
commentary.
This concludes Researching Foreign Law Administrative
Law Research: A Tutorial by the Georgetown Law Library.wer
the Research Problem
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