Search Connectors: How-To Guide

Last updated: 20 September 2025

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Overview Connector Reference Practical Examples Key Rules

Overview

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.

Search Connector Reference

Use the following connectors to build advanced search queries. Remember to use double quotation marks for exact phrases and when using connectors.

ConnectorExampleExplanation
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. 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.
!contra!Wildcard: finds "contract", "contractual", "contravention", etc.

Power Tip: Combining Connectors

You can combine multiple connectors to create highly specific searches. For example: ("payment schedule" OR "payment claim") AND "validity" NOT "unlicensed"

Practical Examples

Here's how you could apply these connectors to real-world search scenarios:

Finding discussions on defects near contract completion
"defect" w/25 ("practical completion" OR "final certificate")
Finds decisions where "defect" appears within 25 words of either phrase.
Cases about variations, excluding latent conditions
"variation" AND "direction" NOT "latent condition"
Finds decisions mentioning variations and directions, but filters out latent condition cases.
Searching for various forms of security
secur! w/10 ("unconditional undertaking" OR "bank guarantee")
Uses the wildcard to match "security", "secured", etc., near specific security instruments.

Key Rules & Further Notes

  • Use Uppercase: Connectors like AND, OR, and NOT must be written in uppercase.
  • Use Quotation Marks: Always use double quotation marks for exact phrases and when using any search connectors.
  • No Case Sensitivity: Search terms themselves are not case sensitive. "contract" matches "Contract".