Compare · Free databases
AustLII, JADE and Barrister AI: free and paid case law in Australia
Most Australian practitioners already use a free database. AustLII and JADE are excellent at what they do. This page explains what they are, how they differ from Westlaw and Lexis, and where AI research fits.
Last updated 9 November 2026
In short
- AustLII provides free access to Australian legislation, case law and law journals.
- JADE, from BarNet, focuses on finding and tracking recent Australian decisions.
- Westlaw Australia and Lexis+ are paid services that add commentary; Lexis+ includes the CaseBase citator.
- Barrister AI reads Australian judgments and legislation for you, and answers with paragraph pinpoints you can check.
The databases
| Service | Who runs it | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| AustLII | Australasian Legal Information Institute, a joint facility of the UTS and UNSW Faculties of Law | Free | Free access to legislation, judgments and law journals |
| JADE | BarNet | See jade.io | Finding and tracking recent Australian decisions |
| Westlaw Australia | Thomson Reuters | Paid plans | Case law, legislation, commentary and journals |
| LexisNexis Australia (Lexis+) | LexisNexis | Paid plans (Lexis+ Lite from $160 a month) | Commentary, Practical Guidance, CaseBase citator |
| Barrister AI | Barrister AI Pty Ltd | Free plan; paid AI research | Answers with pinpoint citations, daily decisions, Briefs |
Where AI research fits
A database finds the judgment. You still have to read it, find the paragraph that matters, and check how later courts treated it. Barrister AI does that first pass for you: it answers a question from Australian authority and points to the paragraph, so you can open it and check. It does not replace your judgment, or a citator check on a decisive authority.
Frequently asked questions
Is AustLII free?
Yes. AustLII says it provides free internet access to Australasian legal materials, including legislation and court decisions.
What is JADE?
JADE (Judgments and Decisions Enhanced) is a case law service from BarNet for finding and tracking recent Australian decisions. Check jade.io for current access and pricing.
Is Westlaw or LexisNexis better in Australia?
Both hold deep Australian content. The choice often comes down to the commentary services you rely on and the citator you prefer. See the comparison of Lexis+ AI and CoCounsel.
Sources
General information, not legal advice. See our editorial policy for how this page is sourced and reviewed, and how to report an error.
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