All rise! Law resources for non-lawyers

The Library has a large amount of printed material on the 4th floor (shelved in the 340s) that is suitable for the layperson. The following information, however, will focus on useful online resources.

Finding recent law

Selected UK decisions can be found on the British and Irish Legal Information Insitute (BAILII) website, which is searchable by case name or subject matter. Its content largely dates back to the mid-1990s. Links are also provided from this website to law resources throughout the world.

All UK public laws (Acts of Parliament) from 1988, and Local Acts from 1991, are available from the Office of Public Sector Information. Explanatory notes are also provided. Visitors to this website should be aware that the text of these Acts may have been amended.

What is the meaning of legal terms?

Both Oxford Reference Online and Credo Reference include legal dictionaries.

You simply need to click on the relevant title in the Law subject sequence and search for your term, concept etc. For greater depth, try The New Oxford Companion to Law; this is available in print from the Library, or online via Oxford Reference Online. Search the Library's Unicorn catalogue to find this item.

Need a lawyer?

The Law Society website provides a searchable database of solicitors. You can search by name, postcode or area of law.

The Bar Directory contains over 12,000 barristers, searchable by chambers, individuals, specialism and region.

This is one of a series of tips to help save you time and effort finding information

This tip was written by Ian Sainsbury, Liaison Librarian for Law and Politics.

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