LexisNexis on Shepards Headnotes

We have reported earlier (here and here) on rumors about a decision by LexisNexis to remove West headnotes from Shepards. Now today here is this response from LexisNexis:

LexisNexis has asked CRIV to post this notice regarding headnotes in Shepard's. The purpose of this posting is to provide information and should not be considered an endorsement of a particular company or its products by CRIV or AALL.

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Recently, LexisNexis has received a number of questions regarding the analysis of West headnotes by Shepard's. We deeply appreciate the trust that you place in Shepard's, and want to allay any concerns. LexisNexis will continue to provide headnote analysis for West's reporters. Furthermore, no existing headnote analysis has been removed from any Shepard's product.

You should know that the production of that analysis is becoming increasingly complex and difficult. In almost every respect, analysis of West headnotes by Shepard's is conducted just as it was when we began producing that analysis - over a century ago.

We would also like to let you know that we have recently integrated the LexisNexis headnotes into Shepard's Citations Service. Legal researchers can now restrict their Shepard's results by LexisNexis headnote - or Shepardize a LexisNexis headnote directly from a case - making it easier to find additional cases that discuss significant points of law. LexisNexis headnotes are updated frequently, are applied to a broad number of published and unpublished cases, and use the court's own language to ensure that they are consistent with the decision of the case. Shepard's editors add LexisNexis headnotes to all cases with substantive discussion, apply Shepard's editorial analysis, and enhance those Shepard's reports with powerful caselaw and statutory links - typically in less than 72 hours.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact your Account Representative or Librarian Relations Consultant should you
have any questions or comments. To reiterate, we will continue to provide Shepard's analysis of West headnotes. At the same time, LexisNexis continues to develop the next generation of citation research and validation tools. As always, please do not hesitate to contact your Account Representative or Librarian Relations Consultant should you have any questions or comments.