5. Search the Case Law of the Boards of Appeal

(a) Navigating the HTML version

The left navigation sidebar can be expanded chapter-by-chapter, sub-chapter-by-sub-chapter, for an overview of the structure and table of contents.

(i) Click on the chapter you are interested in and the text will appear in the centre of the screen.  

(ii) While you are viewing your chosen chapter, you can continue to explore the contents of the CLB using the left navigation/menu without leaving your chosen chapter.  

(iii) Your location in the structure of the CLB is highlighted in the navigation menu for your convenience.  

(b) Quick keyword search

Both the HTML and PDF versions offer users the possibility to search key words or topics using the "Detailed table of contents". This replaces the "General Index", last included in CLB 9th edn., which was based on an alphabetical listing of the table of contents.

HTML version:

(i) Click on the "Detailed table of contents" on the lefthand navigation bar, which will open a new, expandable contents view in the centre of your screen displaying the section titles. 

(ii) Click on "Expand all" in the upper right corner of the centre-view, or alternatively expand each section you are interested in. 

(iii) Type Ctrl+F to search for your desired term. Your search term will be highlighted as it appears in each section. 

PDF version:

A full detailed table of contents can be consulted at the starting of the publication, and can be read much like a print publication. This can also be searched using Ctrl+F, however this will also search the whole CLB, not just the table of contents. 

(c) Advanced search

HTML version:

To optimise your search within the full-text HTML version of the Case Law of the Boards of Appeal: 

(i) access the Advanced Website Search Tool

(ii) select the heading "Legal text" 

(iii) in the "Filter options" sidebar, select the desired language for your search and select "Case Law of the Boards of Appeal" in the "Legal text" box. 

(iv) type in your desired search term in the search field.  

It is also possible to search in more than one legal text simultaneously. Simply select all desired sources in the "Legal Text" box.  

The 11th edition of the Case Law of the Boards of Appeal also offers users the possibility to search on a topic basis using the "Detailed table of contents". This replaces the "General Index" from previous printed editions.  

PDF version

By downloading the Case Law of the Boards of Appeal as a PDF, it is also possible to access the fully-expandable table of contents in the left-side margin and to use this to quickly navigate to the desired chapters. You will be able to access the table of contents while simultaneously viewing the text of the chapters. This expandable table of contents can be accessed by clicking on the "bookmarks", "contents" or similarly named tab in the PDF (browser/application dependent). 

Alternatively, if you are searching for a specific term, simply use the "Ctrl+F" function to type in your search term for a full text search in the publication.