Directory of law websites in the UK and Ireland, compiled by Delia Venables, IT consultant to the legal profession and editor of the Internet Newsletter for Lawyers. Covers free legal information for individuals, legal resources for lawyers, legal information for companies and web resources for law students.
Website of the Law Commission, an independent body created by the Law Commissions Act 1965 to keep the law under review and recommend reforms. Details of the laws currently being reviewed by the Commission are available, and responses are encouraged to current consultations and recent reports. Reports, consultation papers and other publications going back to 1996 are available on the site; earlier Law Commission reports are available on other sites and links to these are provided.
Detailed information about public bills currently before the UK Parliament, on the Parliament website. Bills are presented in full, together with information about their progress through the legislative procedure in both Houses. This includes details of amendments, explanatory notes, debates, proceedings and transcripts of evidence and other related documents.
The European Journal of Law and Technology (EJLT) was formerly known as the Journal of Information, Law and Technology (JILT). It is an eLib funded project to provide a peer reviewed journal for legal academics. It is intended to be a "living" journal which is not merely text on screen but will include multimedia features and encourage debate among readers. Regular features include book reviews, software, news items and conference announcements. The first issue was published in January 1996. EJLT is also available on BAILII (British and Irish Legal Information Institute).
Statewatch is a non-profit voluntary organisation which monitors the state and civil liberties in the UK and the rest of Europe. The Statewatch Database contains more than 25,000 records, including news, features, pamphlets, reports, legislation, EU resolutions and agreements, details of UK parliamentary debates and those of the European Parliament and reports on European Court of Human Rights cases. Material less than 6 months old can be accessed free of charge; older materials require a subscription.
Website of the Agricultural Land Tribunals (ALT) which is hosted by Defra. There are seven ALTs in England and one in Wales who are responsible for settling disputes and other issues between agricultural tenants and landlords arising from tenancy agreements held under the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986. They are also concerned with drainage disputes between neighbours under Sections 28 and/or 30 of the Land Drainage Act 1991. A full-text copy of this act can be viewed on the site.
Website of the Adjudicator to HM Land Registry who is an independent judge dealing with Land Registry disputes. The office was created under the Land Registration Act 2002. The site provides information aimed at people preparing a case including a guide containing FAQs and a glossary of terms. Forms can also be downloaded from the site. Decisions of the Adjudicator are published in full on the site.
WikiMentalHealth is a wiki covering mental health law in England and Wales, set up by Jonathan Wilson, a solicitor specialising in mental health law; it is mainly intended for mental health practitioners. It has a case law section with commentaries on mental health cases, organised by topic. Legislation dealing with mental health is also available, along with human rights and criminal legislation. Guidance is given on the Mental Health Act 1983.
Official website of the judiciary of England and Wales providing information on judges, magistrates and tribunal members and including reports, judgements and key facts. There is information describing the various types of judges and their role, functions and jurisdiction, court dress and forms of address. Key facts are provided including statistics, a legal calendar, an organisation chart of the court hierarchy, a glossary of legal terms and biographies of senior judges. The Learning Resources section has quizzes, historical information and webcasts.
Online directory that profiles black minority ethnic lawyers and organisations with at least one black minority ethnic lawyer. The website was launched in February 2006 and is hosted by Totally Management Ltd, a UK-based management consultancy. The Directory can be searched by region or practice area. The site includes news, careers information and a jobs page. There is also information on BLD's Legal Gateway Scheme which provides career development opportunities for students, schoolchildren, pupils, trainees and others interested in pursuing a career in law.
