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A Guide to Grey Literature: Business and Law

Understand what Grey Literature is, academically appropriate sources of it and how to effectively search for it.

Sources of GreyLiterature in Business and Law

This page highlights how grey literature is used in Business and Law, with examples of key source types and where to find them.

If you're new to grey literature, use the tabs above to learn more about what it is, how to evaluate it, and how to search effectively.

Common types of grey literature in Business

  • Market & industry research – consumer trends, sector analysis, forecasts
  • Company publications – annual reports, CSR/ESG disclosures, investor updates
  • Consultancy & white papers – expert insights and strategy briefings
  • Case studies – real-world business examples (published or internal)
  • Trade & professional briefings – industry news and association updates
  • Government & policy reports – economic data, regulations, policy papers
  • Academic & conference papers – working papers, theses, presentations

Where to find them (by type) - Business

Type Where to look
Company reports & CSR info Company websites (often under “About” or “Sustainability”).  Look for the company's web pages aimed at investors for financial and sustainability reporting.
Market & industry analysis Consultancy sites (e.g. McKinsey, PwC, Deloitte) and market research firms.
HR and employment policy CIPD – Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, CMI - Chartered Management Institute
Finance/accountancy guidance Professional accountancy bodies such as ICAEW and ACCA provide guidance.
Industry bodies and trade publications  Industry bodies represent business interests (e.g. CBI, FSB) and specific sectors (e.g. British Retail Consortium, UK Finance ). Specialist trade publications (e.g. The Grocer, Retail Week) often provide limited free access to articles.
Government and policy reports Key government departments in the UK include HM Treasury and Department for Business and Trade.

When might I use grey literature in Business?

  • Analysing current industry practice or trends
  • Supporting a business plan or case study with real-world data
  • Evaluating corporate strategy or ESG performance
  • Comparing organisational approaches to employment policy, inclusivity or wellbeing

Common types of grey literature in Law

  • Court documents – pleadings, judgments, or decisions not formally published 
  • Legislative materials – bills, committee reports, debate transcripts 
  • Law reform reports – Law Commission proposals and consultation papers
  • Parliamentary & government publications – white papers, impact assessments, committee findings
  • NGO & think tank reports – advocacy and policy research 
  • Professional and law firm guidance – ethical codes, practice notes, client briefings
  • Academic grey literature – working papers, conference presentations

Where to find them (by type) - Law

Type Where to look
Law reform proposals Law Commission – consultations and recommendations
Parliamentary & government reports UK Parliament – select committee reports; Gov.uk – white papers, impact assessments
Policy & advocacy work Think tanks and NGOs – e.g. JUSTICE, Liberty, Amnesty, Chatham House
Professional guidance Bar Council, Law Society – codes of conduct, practice notes
Court documents & legal updates BAILII, Westlaw, Lexis – case law, pleadings, decisions
Academic–practitioner crossover Law firm briefings, working papers, legal blogs (e.g. UK Human Rights Blog)

When might I use grey literature in Law?

  • Analysing proposed legal reforms (e.g. from Law Commission)
  • Supporting a dissertation on access to justice, human rights, or policy
  • Exploring practice issues not yet covered in case law or academic articles
  • Gathering evidence for a mooting brief or problem question

Need help or more resources?

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Or contact your subject librarian for help with finding and using grey literature effectively in your assignments or research.