Search Algorithm

CoLD uses PostgreSQL’s built‑in full‑text search to find relevant entries across several parts of the database with a single query.

  • You can type normal words (no special operators needed).
  • The search understands common word variations (e.g., decision/decisions, arbitrate/arbitration) and ignores very common words.
  • Results can be narrowed by content type, jurisdiction, or theme in the interface.

What is searched

We search multiple content types. For each type, several fields are combined into one searchable text per entry.

  • Answers:

    • CoLD ID (e.g., CHE_01.1-P)
    • Answer
    • More information
    • Jurisdictions
    • Legal families
    • Linked questions
    • Themes

  • HCCH Answers

    • CoLD ID (e.g., HCCH-01.1-P)
    • Adapted question
    • Position
    • Themes
    • International instruments

  • Court Decisions

    • CoLD ID (e.g., CD-CHE-1020)
    • Case citation
    • English translation
    • Jurisdictions
    • Legal families
    • Themes (derived from linked questions)

  • Domestic Instruments (laws/statutes)

    • CoLD ID (e.g., DI-CHE-123)
    • Title (English)
    • Official title
    • Relevant provisions
    • Full text of the provisions
    • Text from linked Domestic Legal Provisions (original + English translation)
    • Jurisdictions
    • Abbreviation
    • Linked questions

  • Regional Instruments

    • CoLD ID (e.g., RI-ABC-10)
    • Abbreviation
    • Title
    • Specialists
    • Date

  • International Instruments

    • CoLD ID (e.g., II-Hag-20)
    • Name
    • Specialists
    • Date

  • Literature

    • CoLD ID (e.g., L-501)
    • Title
    • Author
    • Publication title
    • Abstract note
    • Publisher
    • Jurisdictions
    • Themes

Tip: Because the CoLD ID is included in the searchable text, you can paste a code like CD-CHE-1020 to go straight to a specific entry.

How results are ordered

By default, results are ordered by relevance to your words. You can also sort by date (where a meaningful date exists for a content type).

Additional rules to improve readability:

  • Answers that literally contain “No data” are pushed to the end.
  • Court Decisions with a low “Case Rank” (value 5 or below) are shown after other results but still before “No data” Answers. Within those, higher rank numbers appear first.

Filters you can use

  • Content type (Answers, HCCH Answers, Court Decisions, Domestic Instruments, Regional Instruments, International Instruments, Literature)
  • Jurisdiction (matches the country names shown in results)
  • Theme (matches the themes shown in results)

Why your words may still match

The search uses English stemming. That means word endings are normalized so similar forms match (e.g., “party” ~ “parties”, “decide” ~ “decision/decisions”). Very common words are ignored automatically.

Freshness of results

Search runs on pre‑built indexes of the data and is refreshed regularly. Recent edits may take a short time to appear in search.