Professional organisations

The Direct Marketing Association (UK)

The DMA (UK) is the core trade organisation for all companies in direct marketing in the UK. Formed in 1992, the DMA's aim is to promote and protect the direct marketing industry. Members include advertisers from a broad range of business sectors, direct marketing and telemarketing agencies, and service suppliers from printers and mailing houses to list brokers and database consultancies. The DM Code of Practice can be viewed in the Protection section of the site, but only members can download it. Best practice guidelines are freely available.

General Council of The Bar

The Bar Council is the professional body representing barristers in England and Wales. The site provides information about the role of the Bar Council, the work of its various committees and copies of its annual reports. There is background information about barristers and their work, circuits, the Inns of Court and specialist bar associations. Details are given of the services the Bar Council provides for barristers, rules and guidance and a link to the online Bar Directory. Guidance is available for people instructing a barrister and shopping for legal services.

Academy of European Law

The Academy of European Law was established by the European University Institute (EUI) in 1990 to promote teaching and scholarship in the fields of European Union Law and Human Rights Law. It holds annual advanced-level courses on these subjects and publishes the content as Collected Courses of the Academy of European Law. Full details of the courses and the Academy's special projects are given on the website.

UK Environmental Law Association

The United Kingdom Environmental Law Association (UKELA) is a membership organisation for those involved in the practice, study or formulation of environmental law. The site has organisational information about UKELA and details of the work carried out by regional and working groups including minutes, submissions and responses. Background information is given relating to environmental and wild law. There are details of events and conferences with links to papers and presentations from previous events provided.

American Arbitration Association

Founded in 1926 as a not-for-profit, public service organization, the American Arbitration Association is dedicated to the resolution of disputes through the use of mediation, arbitration, negotiation, elections and other voluntary dispute resolution methodologies. This site gives information about the Association, its activities, members and information about ADR. There are forms to download and an online library of guides, FAQs and reports on ADR and its use in different sectors including construction, insurance, employment and state based dispute resolution.

Society for Computers and Law

The Society for Computers and Law ( SCL) exists to encourage and develop both IT for lawyers and IT related law. There is information about the Society including membership information, news items and a diary of events. Details are given of SCL specialist groups and their committee members. These deal with areas such as IT disputes, property and knowledge management. Selected articles from the SCL's journal Computers and Law can be viewed on the site. The site also provides access to web-based seminars (webinars) which are open to members and non-members of the SCL.

Law Society of Scotland

The Law Society of Scotland is the governing body for Scottish solicitors. The site provides information on what the Society does, the Scottish court system, famous Scottish lawyers and cases and a general history of Scots law. There is a directory of law firms and individual solicitors in Scotland along with a directory of the Society's Accredited Specialists. There is information aimed at members dealing with client care, legal aid, international relations and money laundering. A selection of forms is available to download.

Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide

The Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW) was founded in 1989 by lawyers who wanted to collaborate to protect the environment. The site describes the work of the Alliance. News items and articles about ELAW campaigns are also provided. The Alliance's quarterly journal, ELAW Advocate, is available under "What We Do" (2000 onwards). The Resources page provides access to cases, laws and other materials for a range of geographical regions, covering environmental topics such as pollution, biodiversity, conservation, economics, mining, waste, water and wildlife.

British and Irish Association of Law Librarians

The British and Irish Association of Law Librarians (BIALL) was formed in 1969 to represent the interests of legal information professionals and others involved in law librarianship. The website has background information about the aims and history of the organisation, membership information and details of events, conferences and courses. There is also careers information relating to legal information work and a 'Job Board'.

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