The Court's site lacks a search engine and, as a result, the ability to perform full text keyword searching. Even if a search engine were available, research would be limited to the current term's opinions only. Nor can users search by party name or docket number. However, the Court's official site contains practice information, providing forms and instructions for admission to the Court, case handling guides about how to prepare a petition for writ of certiorari, and access to the Court's rules, orders, calendars, and schedules. Fortunately, attorneys have other options for free, full text, key word research of the Court's cases.
Registration is required to use the site, but it is free.
Words or phrases can also be searched with proximity connectors. Conveniently, Findlaw highlights the search terms in the cases it retrieves. This offers users the opportunity to skim the case for the selected terms. Opinions are posted at noon on the day they are released. The Ninth Circuit site, however, is replete with useful information for practitioners, ranging from free access to forms, press releases, the court calendar, and general orders to federal and local circuit court rules.