What are “legal subject headings”?

Legal subject headings refer to predefined terms under which legal cases can be categorized. This classification system is essential for organizing vast amounts of legal information, making it easier for legal professionals, researchers, and students to locate relevant cases and statutes. Legal subject headings help streamline research efforts by providing a standardized set of terms that can be universally understood across different legal databases and libraries.

The predefined nature of these subject headings allows for consistent categorization and enhances the efficiency of legal research. This structured approach ensures that similar cases can be grouped together, thereby facilitating more straightforward searches and comparisons among case law.

In contrast, naming legal professionals or discussing topics in legal textbooks revolves around the people involved in the legal field or educational content, which are not the focus of legal subject headings. Types of legal documents refer to specific forms and records used in legal proceedings, but they do not encompass the broader organizational framework that subject headings provide for legal research and case law analysis.