> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://liiguide.docs.laws.africa/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://liiguide.docs.laws.africa/finding-information/federated-search-on-africanlii.md).

# Federated search (AfricanLII)

## How to conduct Federated Search

1. Go to <https://africanlii.org/>

<figure><img src="/files/kHvVxipu1nZsthLGFhlq" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

2. Enter search terms or a document name in the search bar, and click **Search**
3. The documents that match your search are shown including the respective **jurisdiction** the documents belong in.
4. Narrow the results by using the **filters** on the left to pinpoint what you’re looking for.
5. Use the Sort by option to sort results by relevance or date.

## Focus results with filters

Here’s an example. A search for "[refugees ](https://africanlii.org/search/?q=refugees)"returns over 1840 documents.

<figure><img src="/files/aYFOXow2h3rBeqZXXcOd" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Apply multiple filters to refine your search. Let’s look for Gazettes with the term refugees from 2023 in South Africa.

<figure><img src="/files/cMnpKezFGQZBldSML6X3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Federated search makes it easy to find related information from various jurisdictions and regional bodies.


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# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://liiguide.docs.laws.africa/finding-information/federated-search-on-africanlii.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.