Jenkins' Research Tip: Using the Parallel Tables to the Restatements

When the American Law Institute (ALI) first began the Restatements, it grouped the different subjects into "series". The first series of the Restatements, consisting of nine subjects, began in 1923 and was completed in 1942. To prevent the work from becoming obsolete, ALI began working on the second series in 1947. A third series was proposed in 1977.

To help researchers navigate between the different Restatement series, ALI includes "parallel tables", found before the index of most Restatement subjects. These tables show corresponding section numbers between two series of Restatements. Some, like the Restatement (Third) Torts: Apportionment of Liability, connect section numbers of the final Restatement with one or more earlier drafts. When using these parallel tables to find where an older series (or draft) section is located in a newer series, be sure to check all volumes of the current series - the parallel tables only point to the sections found in that particular volume.

Jenkins members can access the Restatements on HeinOnline (available to most members on their desktops), on the library Westlaw computers, or in print in the library. For more information on how to access the Restatements, see the Restatements and Principles of the Law guide. For additional assistance on how to navigate the parallel tables to the Restatements, contact our Reference Librarians at 215.574.1505, email us at research@jenkinslaw.org, or chat with us.