Sopal enables powerful full-text searching of adjudication decisions. By using special commands called "search connectors," you can refine your searches to find exactly what you need. This guide explains how to use them effectively.
Use the following connectors to build advanced search queries. Remember to use double quotation marks for exact phrases and when using connectors.
| Connector | Example | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
AND |
"EOT" AND "delay" |
Both terms must appear anywhere in the decision's text. |
OR |
"EOT" OR "extension of time" |
Either of the terms must appear in the decision's text. Useful for searching synonyms. |
NOT |
"EOT" NOT "liquidated damages" |
The first term must appear, but not the second term. |
w/n |
"termination" w/15 "notice" |
Both terms must appear within 'n' words of each other. In the example, "termination" and "notice" must be within 15 words of each other. |
! (Wildcard) |
contra! |
The root of a word must appear. The example would find decisions containing "contract", "contractual", "contravention", etc. |
You can combine multiple connectors to create highly specific searches. For example: ("payment schedule" OR "payment claim") AND "validity" NOT "unlicensed"
Here's how you could apply these connectors to real-world search scenarios:
"defect" w/25 ("practical completion" OR "final certificate")
"variation" AND "direction" NOT "latent condition"
secur! w/10 ("unconditional undertaking" OR "bank guarantee")
AND, OR, and NOT must be written in uppercase."my phrase") for exact phrases and when using any search connectors."contract" is the same as searching for "Contract".