Federal Statutory Research: Choosing a Code Version

Both U.S.C.A. and U.S.C.S. have an index at the end of each title; in addition, U.S.C. and U.S.C.S. have a General Index at the end of the set. Finally, the U.S.C.S. also has an Index and Finding Aids to Code of Federal Regulations.

Both the U.S.C.A. and U.S.C.S. are unofficial sources of the United States Code. However, they are more research-friendly than the U.S.C. Both contain immensely helpful annotations. In addition, the U.S.C.A. is an integral part of Westlaw Precision. The West Key Number System and other secondary sources on West Precision are closely integrated, thus making it a one-stop shop for statutory research. Similarly, U.S.C.S. is also tightly integrated with secondary sources on the Lexis+ research platform. Both platforms are equally helpful.

• With the aid of the Parallel Table of Authorities and Rules, the research process can begin with either the U.S.C.S. or C.F.R.
• Use the General Index in the U.S.C.S. for general statutory research if the focus is not on a specific title.
• Statutory research is a two-step process: the statute and the implementation provision in C.F.R.
• The U.S.C. is the official code; accordingly, the citation must be to this source where practicable.[1]