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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 February 2019
This article addresses the question of electronic access to legal resources in Ireland, with special reference to the British and Irish Legal Information Institute (BAILII) project. The first section of the article explains the origins of BAILII and the Irish resources which it makes available without charge on the web (as well discussing as other free websites). The second section considers official sources of access to Irish legal material (i.e. government sites), while a final section outlines the commercial services currently on offer. An Appendix provides some “Notes on Using BAILII.”
1 For another treatment of the subject matter under discussion, see Jennefer Aston “Developments in Electronic Irish Legal Information.” 5 (Irish) Bar Review 453 (2000).Google Scholar
2 The relevant web address is www.austlii.edu.au.Google Scholar
3 At the time of writing (March 2001), there is one year of statutes - 1999 - yet to be added. It is intended shortly to add this one missing year, as well as to make available the 2001 statutes on an ongoing basis.Google Scholar
4 This is the most important court in the hierarchy of Irish courts.Google Scholar
5 A full feed has recently been obtained from this court and so the database is comprehensive as to decisions released from February 2001 onwards. Work is continuing to extend this comprehensive coverage back to include (in the first instance) all decisions dated 2000 or later.Google Scholar
6 The database currently includes some 183 cases from this Court. The database is not yet comprehensive, although it is hoped to finalize arrangements for a full feed shortly.Google Scholar
7 There is a degree of synergy in terms of making available material from the two Irish jurisdictions, which share a common legal heritage. Thus, a sizeable number of pre-Independence (i.e. pre-1922) statutes which are still current in the Republic of Ireland are to be found in the database of Northern Irish statutes. Note that later Northern Irish legislation can be accessed at www.northernireland-legislation.hmso.gov.uk.Google Scholar
8 In terms of Northern Irish case law, it has decisions from the Northern Ireland Law Reports from 1945 to 1997, as well as unreported decisions from 1984 to date.Google Scholar
9 Note that, in relation to Irish legislation from 1922–1998, Schedules to Acts are appended to the last section of the Act in question.Google Scholar
