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Training at IALS Library: Training events

An introduction to research skills training offered by the IALS Library

Training at IALS Library

Training events at IALS Library

We offer online and face-to-face training sessions. Forthcoming training is listed on this page.

Anyone who is an IALS Library academic member can take part in the training, regardless of affiliation or level of study. If you have not joined IALS Library yet, you can find out how to register on the Joining the Library pages of our website.

All of the training listed on this page is free.

Induction period: 24th September - 7th October 2025

New to IALS Library? Visit us during the induction period to benefit from:

  • help joining IALS Library
  • daily induction tours of the library
  • introductory talks to learn more about using the library

Just drop into the library between 09:00-17:00, Monday to Friday.

Induction Tours

Guided induction tours of the library will be held every week day at 11:00 and 15:00 from Wednesday 24th September to Tuesday 7th October. Tours leave from the Enquiry Desk on the 2nd floor of the library. 

To join a tour, you will need to be a current member, and you will need your membership card to enter the library. 

See the full schedule and book a place via our training events page or using the calendar below.

Introduction to IALS Library and its Resources

What does this session cover?

This 30 minute talk will introduce you to the collections, services and support available at IALS Library. The talk includes:

  • an overview of the extensive law collections in IALS Library;
  • finding what you need in the library;
  • how to access the legal research databases (including remote access);
  • where to get further help.

Who is it for?

Online sessions are open to all current and prospective members of IALS Library.

Where / when does it take place?

Wednesday 24th September, 14:00-14:30 - online via Zoom

Tuesday 30th September, 14:00-14:30 - online via Zoom

Thursday 2nd October, 14:00-14:30 - online via Zoom

Monday 6th October, 14:00-14:30 - online via Zoom

Friday 17th October, 11:00-11:30 - online via Zoom

Thursday 23rd October, 14:00-14:30 - online via Zoom

Monday 27th October, 14:00-14:30 - online via Zoom

Wednesday 5th November, 14:00-14:30 - online via Zoom

How can I book a place?

View availability and book a place using the individual event links above.

View a full calendar of events and book further sessions 

Introduction to Lexis+ UK and Westlaw UK

What do these sessions cover?

Lexis+ UK and Westlaw UK are the key databases you need to master for effective legal research in the UK.

At these introductory sessions you will learn how to:

  • choose your database and log in;
  • find UK legislation and cases;
  • find legal journal articles;
  • find foreign and international law materials;
  • search and browse effectively;
  • download your results.

Who is it for?

All postgraduate law students and academic researchers with a current IALS Library card or SAScard.

Where / when does it take place?

Thursday 9th October, 14:00-15:30 - online via Zoom

Monday 13th October, 14:00-15:30 - online via Zoom

Wednesday 22nd October, 14:00-15:30 - in person in the Library Training Room

Tuesday 28th October, 14:00-15:30 - online via Zoom

Monday 3rd November, 11:00-12:30 - online via Zoom

Tuesday 11th November, 14:00-15:30 - in person in the Library Training Room

Wednesday 19th November, 14:00-15:30 - online via Zoom

How can I book a place?

View availability and book a place using the individual event links above.

View a full calendar of events and book further sessions

Finding Legal Journal Articles for your Essay, Dissertation or Thesis

What does this session cover?

In this introductory session you will learn how to use legal databases to find legal journal articles. The session will help you to:

  • find the full-text of an article if you only have a citation;
  • identify the most relevant databases for your research topic;
  • efficiently search databases for relevant journal articles;
  • get the most out of the e-resources available at IALS Library.

Who is it for?

All postgraduate law students and academic researchers with a current IALS Library card or SAScard.

Where / when does it take place?

Wednesday 8th October, 14:00-15:30 - online via Zoom

Tuesday 14th October, 14:00-15:30 - online via Zoom

Thursday 16th October, 14:00-15:30 - in person in the Library Training Room

Friday 24th October, 14:00-15:30 - online via Zoom

Thursday 30th October, 11:00-12:30 - online via Zoom

Tuesday 4th November, 14:00-15:30 - in person in the Library Training Room

Monday 10th November, 14:00-15:30 - online via Zoom

How can I book a place?

View availability and book a place using the individual event links above.

View a full calendar of events and book further sessions

Finding Sources of Public International Law

What does this session cover?

This session will prepare you for researching public international law documentation. At this session we will explain how to:

  • use the UN Treaty Collection;
  • access regional and national treaty collections, print and online;
  • use a treaty index;
  • find decisions from the ICJ, ECHR and other international courts using online and print resources;
  • find cases in the International Law Reports series and the ORIL database.

Who is it for?

All postgraduate law students and academic researchers with a current IALS Library card or SAScard.

Where / when does it take place?

Thursday 6th November, 14:00-15:00 - in person in the Library Training Room

Tuesday 18th November, 14:00-15:00 - online via Zoom

How can I book a place?

View availability and book a place using the individual event links above.

View a full calendar of events and book further sessions

Introduction to OSCOLA

What does this session cover?

OSCOLA stands for the Oxford Standard for the Citation of Legal Authorities. At this session you will learn the basics of citing your references using OSCOLA. This includes how to:

  • cite UK legislation & cases;
  • cite foreign and international legal materials;
  • cite books, journal articles, websites & online material;
  • cite a source that isn't covered by the OSCOLA rules;
  • avoid plagiarism;
  • write your bibliography;
  • keep your word count down by cross-referencing footnotes.

Who is it for?

All postgraduate law students and academic researchers with a current IALS Library card or SAScard

Where / when does it take place?

Friday 14th November, 14:00-15:00 - online via Zoom

Thursday 20th November, 11:00-12:00 - online via Zoom

Monday 24th November, 14:00-15:00 - in person in the Veeder-Roebuck Conference Room (on the ground floor of IALS building)

Friday 5th December, 14:00-15:00 - online via Zoom

How can I book a place?

View availability and book a place using the individual event links above.

View a full calendar of events and book further sessions 

For more help with OSCOLA see our