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To search for legal references on CanLII, you can use the search fields on the main page or the search template on specific court/tribunal pages. Begin with broad searches using keywords related to your topic and refine by using Boolean operators, filters, and by browsing case names or citations.

Here's a breakdown of how to effectively use CanLII for legal research:

1. Understanding the Search Fields:
Document Text:
Use this for broad searches based on a legal topic or question, using keywords.
Statute name / case name / citation / docket number:
Enter specific information like case names, citations (e.g., neutral citation, CanLII citation), or docket numbers.

2. Search Techniques:
Keywords: Use relevant keywords or phrases to find cases or legislation.
Boolean Operators: Utilize operators like AND, OR, NOT, and NEAR to refine your searches.
Phrase Searching: Enclose keywords in quotation marks (" ") to search for an exact phrase.
Wildcards: Use asterisks () to match variations of a word (e.g., "child").
Citation Searches: If you have a citation, enter it into the "Statute name / case name / citation / docket number" field.

3. Refining Your Search:
Filters: Use the filters on the search page to narrow down results by jurisdiction, content type, and other criteria.
Jurisdiction: Specify a province or territory or the Federal courts.
Content Type: Choose "Cases", "Legislation", or "Commentary".
Other Filters: Use filters for specific courts, tribunals, or types of legislation.
Sort Results: Sort results by relevance, newest, or most cited.

4. Browsing and Navigating:
Case Names:
If you're looking for a specific case, enter the case name or a portion of it in the "Statute name / case name / citation / docket number" field.
Court/Tribunal Pages:
Navigate to the page of the specific court or tribunal you're interested in to find more relevant information.
Noting Up:
Use the "Cited By" feature to find subsequent cases that cite a particular case or paragraph.

5. Utilizing CanLII's Resources:
myCanLII: Create a myCanLII account to save searches, create alerts, and manage your documents.
Help Resources: Consult CanLII's help pages, FAQs, and blog for guidance and tips.

Example:
To find cases discussing the issue of "child support" in BC, you could:
Go to the CanLII main page.
Type in the search field: "child support AND BC"
Click "Cases" tab.
Refine your search using filters like "BC" for jurisdiction, and "Family Court" for a specific court.

Follow this link:
https://www.canlii.org/