digest

A collection or compilation, embodying the chief matter of numerous books, articles, court decisions, etc. in one, disposed under proper heads or titles, and usually by an alphabetical arrangement, for facility in reference. An index to reported cases, providing brief statements of court holdings or facts of cases, which is arranged by subject and subdivided by jurisdiction and courts.

See American Digest System

- special digests,

- digests.

As a legal term, "digest" is to be distinguished from "abridgment." The latter is a summary or epitome of the contents of a single work, in which, as a rule, the original order or sequence of parts is preserved, and in which the principal labor of the compiler is in the matter of consolidation. A digest is wider in its scope; is made up of quotations or paraphrased passages, and has its own system of classification and arrangement. An "index" merely points out the places where particular matters may be found, without purporting to give such matters in extenso. A "treatise" or "commentary" is not a compilation, but an original composition, though it may include quotations and excerpts. A reference to the "Digest," or "Dig.," is often understood to designate the Digest (or Pandects) of the Justinian collection; that being the digest par eminence, and the authoritative compilation of the Roman law.

@ American Digest System

The American Digest System is a subject classification scheme whereby digests of decisions that were reported chronologically in the various units of the National Reporter System are rearranged by subject, bringing together all cases on a similar point of law. The system divides the subject of law into seven main classes. Each class is then divided into sub-classes and then each sub-class into topics. There are over 400 digest topics, each of which corresponds to a legal concept. The system consists of a Century Digest (1658-1896), eight Decennial Digests (1897-1905, 1906-1915, 1916-1925, 1926-1935, 19361945, 1946-1955, 1956-1966, and 1966-1976), (the Ninth Decennial Digest, Part 1 (1976-1981), the Ninth Decennial Digest, Part 2 (1981-1986), and the General Digest, 7th Series (1986 to date). The American Digest System is the master index to all reported case law.

See also key number system; and special digests.

@ special digests

Decisions included in the American Digest System are as well included in special digests covering the federal courts and also in regional, state, and topical digests. The "U.S. Supreme Court Digest" covers decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. The Federal Digest (cases decided prior to 1939), Modern Federal Practice Digest (1939-1961), West's Federal Practice Digest 2d (1961-1975) and West's Federal Practice Digest 3rd and 4th (1975 to date) cover Federal court cases. Specialty federal digests include the Bankruptcy Digest, the Claims Court Digest, and West's Military Justice Digest. State court decisions from geographical areas are also published in "Regional Digests" (Atlantic, Northwestern, Pacific, Southeastern, Southern Digests; several of these are in 1st and 2d series). Also, individual "State Digests" are published for most states. Other specialty digests include West's Education Law Digest and the Merit Systems Protection Board Digest

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