---
title: "Case Retrieval through Multiple Indexing and Heuristic Search"
authors:
  - "Edwina L. Rissland"
  - "David B. Skalak"
  - "M. Timur Friedman"
doi: ""
url: "https://ijcai.org/proceedings/1993/124"
pdf: "https://ijcai.org/proceedings/1993/0124.pdf"
venue: "Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence"
year: 1993
pages: "902-907"
track: "Machine Learning"
keywords:
---

# Case Retrieval through Multiple Indexing and Heuristic Search

Edwina L. Rissland, David B. Skalak, M. Timur Friedman

*Proceedings of the Thirteenth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence*, pages 902-907.

## Abstract

We discuss the indexing of cases for use in precedent-based argument. Our focus is on how multiple, related indices into a case base of legal precedents are exploited by an argumentgeneration program called BankXX. This system's architecture and control scheme are rooted in a conceptualization of legal argument as heuristic search. Although our framing argument as search is not discussed in detail in this paper, we describe the main features of this view to provide context for a discussion of an indexing scheme that facilitates argument creation. We describe five inter-related index types-citation, prototypical story, factor, family resemblance, and legal theory indicesand show how they can be used to access, view, widen, or filter a set of cases. The application domain is a U.S. Federal statute that governs the approval of bankruptcy plans.