This 56-volume, 50,000-page encyclopedia is a complete statement of the law of Ontario — provincial, federal, and common law — as derived from statute and case law. It provides a practical, day-to-day reference to the law and is an excellent starting point from which to conduct in-depth legal research. Prepared by an expert team of contributing authors, the set is updated with supplements regularly to ensure accuracy and currency.

New in this edition

• Every section of every title of the fourth edition contains cross-references to the equivalent classification in The Canadian Abridgment, thus leading you directly to all the relevant case law
• All subject titles are consolidated to reflect the current state of the law
• To ensure that all subject titles remain up to date, key titles are being updated annually and all titles will be updated every three years

Content
The law is classified under 167 subject titles. It is presented within the titles in succinct statements that are fully supported by footnoted authority, statute and/or case law. In its clear, affirmative style, the Canadian Encyclopedic Digest (CED) deals with the law as it currently stands without conjecture.

Due to the growing influence of statutory regimes, statutes and regulations are canvassed thoroughly and the researcher is alerted to pending legislation (bills or Acts awaiting proclamation) by means of a pending legislation section at the head of the titles supplement.

Each title is updated annually or as necessary with new case law or legislative developments delivered by means of its supplement.

Format
Each title structure is set out in a detailed table of classification. Each title is fully indexed and includes a table of cases and table of statutes. Points of law are organized into numbered paragraphs within the plan of the title, supported by footnoted authority.

References in the tables and index are to paragraph numbers to afford pinpoint access. Cross-references within and among titles suggest alternative but fully integrated research strategies.

Currency is assured by reference to a cumulative supplement, which is filed at the front of each title.

The research guide and key (two volumes of essential finding tools)
The research guide explains in detail how to use the main volumes and key. While the straightforward presentation of titles in the set allows easy direct access where the researcher is familiar with the subject being researched, the key provides numerous additional points of entry into the set.

The contents key sets out the volume-by-volume plan of the CED, listing the numbered titles that comprise the set.

The statutes key links the user to all current statutory references in the encyclopedia, in titles and in supplements, by a pinpoint reference to the volume, title, and paragraph number. Similar precise access to the rules and regulations cited is provided by the rules and regulations key.

The index key is an exhaustive index to the entire set and affords detailed access to the set by a combination of pinpoint volume, title and paragraph references to both titles and supplements, as well as extensive cross-references.