United Kingdom

Guide to the UK Legal System

Online research and resource guide to the legal system in the United Kingdom written by Sarah Carter who was Law Librarian at the University of Kent at Canterbury in the UK and updated by Hester Swift who is Foreign and International Law Librarian at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. The guide was published in 2005 (and updated in 2024) on the Globalex website and made freely available by the Hauser Global Law School Program at the New York University School of Law.

Information Commissioner's Office

The UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) enforces the Data Protection Act 1998 and is also responsible for freedom of information. The main functions of the ICO are the promotion of good information handling and the encouragement of best practice in the processing of personal data. The site offers guidance to the Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act with information on specific topics including medical records, CCTV, junk mail and social networking.

LawWorks

Website of LawWorks, an independent charitable association of solicitors in England and Wales dedicated to pro bono (free) legal advice: 'LawWorks' is the operating name of the Solicitors' Pro Bono Group (SPBG). The site describes the background, role and purpose of the organisation and gives details of LawWorks' projects. These include clinics providing free legal advice sessions, mediation services and free legal services aimed at the voluntary sector.

Parliamentary Counsel Office

The UK Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO) is a team of lawyers based in Whitehall, London, who draft Government Bills for introduction into Parliament (except those relating only to Scotland). The site publishes an overview of the stages in the drafting of a bill and its passage through Parliament. A history of the PCO is presented, and other features of the site include an essay on legislative drafting by Geoffrey Bowman, and a set of links to parliamentary and government websites.

Bird and Bird : International Law Firm

Website for the international law firm Bird and Bird who specialise in the e-commerce, information technology, communications, media, sport, banking & financial services, life sciences and aviation & aerospace sectors. In addition to providing information about the organisation and its specialisations, the site carries a collection of articles written by Bird and Bird's lawyers.

Notaries Society

Website of the Notaries Society, the professional body founded in 1882 to represent notaries practising in England and Wales, outside London. The site provides information for members of the profession and the general public on the role of the notary and details of how to qualify. A contact directory assists with finding a notary. Parts of the site are restricted to members only.

ADR Group : Alternative Dispute Resolution

Web pages of ADR Group, founded in 1989 and specialists in providing mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). The website is also intended for the Alternative Dispute Resolution Network, ADR-NET, with a password-protected members only area. All the other features are freely available: news, details of events and training courses on ADR, and information about the ADR Group. The site also offers a form to send messages and enquiries to the Group, and a form to refer a case to them.

Chartered Institute of Arbitrators

Web pages of the UK Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, the professional body for arbitrators founded in 1915, which aims to promote arbitration as an alternative method of dispute resolution to litigation. The website presents information on different aspects of the Institute's work and services including training courses and news items. There is a link to the Institute's wholly owned subsidiary, IDRS providing details of their commercial and consumer dispute services. Other areas of the site are restricted to members only.

Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is a Department of the Scottish Executive. It the Scottish department responsible for the prosecution of crime, the investigation of sudden or suspicious deaths, and the investigation of complaints against the police. The site outlines the work of the Service and an interactive map of Scotland provides details of the network of Regional Procurator Fiscal offices supporting each Sheriff Court district. Information is provided for crime victims and witnesses and details are provided about the work of the Victim Information and Advice Service.

World Law: Guernsey

Part of WorldLII's World Law service containing links to Internet resources for Guernsey in the Channel Islands. A full range of browse and search features are provided by the site. Browse sections include links covering courts and case law, governmental sites and lawyers. A stored search will automatically search for materials relating to Guernsey on all of the WorldLII catalogue or databases. This section of WorldLII was developed from work initiated by Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII).

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