This is a current awareness blog compiled by staff at Inner Temple Library in London, containing legal news of interest to UK lawyers and law students. The blog was established in April 2007 and is updated daily. Items are sourced from a range of news, legal and government websites and can be viewed by date or browsed by subject. Free email alerts are available.
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) regulates barristers in England and Wales. Its areas of responsibility include education and training requirements for barristers, setting standards of professional conduct and handling complaints against barristers. Its website provides information for barristers and the general public, including details of the qualifications required to become a barrister, advice on how to make a complaint and information about continuing professional development.
The BAILII Open Law Project is an initiative of the British and Irish Legal Information Institute (BAILII) to create a database of important judgments. The project identifies older cases that are important for legal education and makes them available for free online.
Collection of legal research guides compiled by staff at the Bodleian Law Library. There are guides covering about twenty-five different regions or jurisdictions, from Africa south of the Sahara to the United States. About thirty-five subject guides are also provided, covering a diverse range of topics, including ancient law, tax law, international law, jurisprudence and the law of obligations. There is also guidance on finding particular types of legal materials, such as treaties, legislation and official publications.
Website of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which regulates solicitors in England and Wales. The site provides news, information and documentation for solicitors, the general public and those interested in qualifying as a solicitor. It includes a register of regulated solicitors, guidance on choosing and using a solicitor, and information about claiming compensation for money owed by a solicitor.
Alternative Family Law is a solicitors' firm specialising in family law, divorce and civil partnership dissolution. Its website describes alternative ways of conducting divorce proceedings, including collaborative law and mediation. There is guidance on divorce procedures and links are provided to organisations and forms. Advice is also given on financial aspects of divorce, the dissolution of civil partnerships, surrogacy, gay parenting, and divorce with an international element. The site is available in English or German.
Website of the Commission on Intellectual Property Rights, which was set up in 2001 by the British government to research the strengthening of intellectual property rights in developing countries. The Commission's final report, published in 2002, is available, together with the government's response.
Website of the Centre for Intellectual Property Policy and Management (CIPPM) at Bournemouth University, which .carries out postgraduate teaching, policy research and consultancy, with a particular focus on IP aspects of the creative sector and new technology. The CIPPM / Jean Monnet Working Papers series is available on the site, together with abstracts of the Centre's other publications. The Tools section includes the Observatory on DSM Directive Exceptions & Limitations. Details of courses, research projects and events are also provided.
UK government web page providing information about asylum seekers' countries of origin, to be used in the asylum determination process. Reports contain information on asylum and human rights issues in the country and include chapters on the security forces, torture, the judiciary, prison conditions, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, ethnic minorities and human rights institutions. There is also background information on the country covering the economy, history, political system, Constitution and political parties.
Website of the Legal Support Network, an organisation providing services to finance professionals working in the legal profession in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Includes articles on finance, costs and technology news and details of training courses and events. There is also a directory of suppliers.
