Combining topic modelling and citation network analysis to study case law from the European Court on Human Rights on the right to respect for private and family life

Case law plays a crucial role in legal research, particularly in the context of human rights. Many international human rights conventions, such as the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), are considered'living instruments', which means that human rights should be interpreted in light of present-day conditions and in accordance with developments in international law [1]. Fundamental human rights, such as the right to respect for private and family life, home, and correspondence as enshrined in Article 8 of the ECHR, serve as broad normative standards that (may) evolve in response to societal changes and international consensus. For example, the meaning of'correspondence' has significantly changed with the internet and the progression of technology, and also what is considered'family life' [2] or a'home' is ever-developing [3]. Consequently, the interpretation and application of human rights undergo continuous development, requiring legal scholars and practitioners to rely heavily on the case law established by international courts, such as the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). However, the volume of case law is ever-increasing, which makes it challenging for legal scholars to discover relevant cases and gain a comprehensive understanding of this vast amount of information.