Author: Clicklaw Editor

Clicklaw Wikibooks: A New Mobile Experience!

Community posts

By Courthouse Libraries BC

Earlier this week, we launched a new look and feel for Clicklaw Wikibooks‘ mobile experience.

Clicklaw Wikibooks are collaboratively developed, plain language legal publications that are published and kept up-to-date on a wiki, where they can also be printed and downloaded. They are free to download and share with British Columbians who seek reliable, up-to-date information to address legal problems or learn about the law. The publication titles include JP Boyd on Family Law, People’s Law School’s Dial-A-Law, and TRAC’s Tenant Survival Guide.

We know half of its visitors arrive on mobile devices. In 2018, we had started exploring our options for this user group, beginning with a default, minimalist setting. Last year, we started the project that delivered today’s version.

What’s improved?

Here are three things you need to know about the new experience

1. Better navigation. Use the hamburger menu (top-left corner) to go to a wikibook. The new mobile version includes the same left-side navigation bar like on the desktop version, allowing future refinements.

Before-and-after screenshots of the hamburger menu

2. Easier wikibook download. Use the options on the hamburger menu or on a wikibook’s main page. The old version hides the download options as “Page issues”.

Before-and-after screenshots of a wikibook's main page

3. Improved readability. The old mobile experience was cluttered, partly because of the way desktop elements are placed and configured (what you see when you use your computer and not your mobile device). We added white space and adjusted alignment whenever possible, without changing the desktop elements. Below is just one example.

Before-and-after screenshots of a wikibook's navigation menu

Check out the new look on your mobile device now. We hope you like it!

The scope for today’s version

We replaced the skin – the codes that make this site look good on your mobile device – then chose another that is more robust and customized it. To keep the project manageable and within budget, we tried to balance keeping the existing desktop elements and applying the heuristic evaluation recommendations.

Future opportunities

After the launch of today’s version, our work is not over yet. We have identified a few pain points to prioritize for the next round of updates. Some items could be addressed immediately, while the rest would require further investigation and usability testing.

Questions or comments? Please email editor@clicklaw.bc.ca.

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February 2021 Events

Events

Bookmark this post! It will be updated as more events are announced. You can also get frequent updates via our Twitter. Have a suggestion? Email us.

Educating & Helping the Public

Free or low cost events for the general public to understand and use the law. Follow the links to see cost & registration info. All times in Pacific Time unless stated otherwise. See disclaimer.
Feb 1-7 | Feb 8-14 | Feb 15-21 | Feb 22-28
Looking for events for intermediaries? Jump to the next section.

February 15-21, 2021

  • Powers of Attorney, Joint Bank Accounts and Representation Agreements (Webinar)
    by Seniors First BC
    • What: This workshop focuses on the importance of advance planning, forms of financial abuse through joint bank accounts and powers of attorney, and strategies to deal with financial abuse.
    • When: Tuesday, February 16, 2021 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Registered Disability Savings Plan Level 1 (Webinar)
    by Plan Institute
    • What: Beginner RDSP workshop for those who want to learn what an RDSP is, who qualifies, how to apply for the Disability Tax Credit, and how to open an RDSP. This is best suited to people who want to learn the basics of RDSPs and get general information about the plan. No background knowledge needed to get the most out of this workshop.
    • When: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Wills, Trusts and Estate Planning Online (Webinar)
    by Plan Institute
    • What: Becoming well-informed about wills, trusts and estate planning is necessary to secure the financial future of your loved one with a disability. In this webinar you will learn things you should consider when creating a will, ways in which to ensure your loved one is protected when family passes, the types of trusts available, and more.
    • When: Thursday, February 18, 2021 1:00 PM to 2:15 PM
    • Cost: $25 registration
  • Divorce Act Overview and Q&A: For Everyone (Webinar)
    by John-Paul Boyd, QC
    • What: This free public webinar covers the important changes to the Divorce Act coming into effect on 1 March 2021. We’ll talk about the new duties spouses have, the new language about parenting after separation, the new test to decide the best interests of children, and the new test to decide what should happen when someone wants to move away after separation. We’ll talk about the parts of the Divorce Act that aren’t changing too.
    • When: Thursday, February 18, 2021 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
    • Cost: Free
  • Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) Information Session Level 2 (Webinar)
    by Plan Institute
    • What: Advanced RDSP workshop for those who already have an RDSP or are deciding where to open their RDSP and want to deepen their knowledge and learn how to maximize growth. This workshop includes more complicated financial information and attendees should already have an understanding of RDSP basics before joining – or attend Level 1 first.
    • When: Thursday, February 18, 2021 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
    • Cost: Free

February 22-28, 2021

  • What You Need to Know About Changes to the Divorce Act (Webinar)
    by People’s Law School
    • What: A collateral effect of the current pandemic is an increase in family breakups. Meanwhile, a new set of rules are coming into force on March 1, 2021 as Canada’s Divorce Act sees its most substantial changes in 35 years. To learn about these changes and how they might impact you and your loved ones, tune in for this free webinar that will walk you through the key changes, and answer questions about how those changes affect you.
    • When: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 Noon
    • Cost: Free
  • Complaining 101 with BC Ombudsperson Staff (Webinar)
    by BC Ombudsperson
    • What: Looking for tips to get results when bringing your concerns to public organizations? Join BC Ombudsperson staff and learn how to have your voice heard.
    • When: Friday, February 26, 2021 10:30 AM
    • Cost: Free
  • Bullying Between Older Adults in Communal Settings (Webinar)
    by Seniors First BC
    • What: This 60-minute workshop includes a presentation on bullying between older adults in communal settings (e.g. seniors’ centres, assisted living housing), types of bullying behaviours and people involved, and strategies to deal with bullying.
    • When: Friday, February 26, 2021 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
    • Cost: Free

Learning & Community Building

Free or low cost professional development events for intermediaries, the people providing information and support to members of the public in their interactions with the legal system. We only include those that are open to non-lawyers. Also, events by organizations who help British Columbians in their interactions with the legal system. All times in Pacific Time unless stated otherwise. See disclaimer.
Feb 1-7 | Feb 8-14 | Feb 15-21 | Feb 22-28
Looking for public legal education events? Go back to the beginning.

February 1-7, 2021

  • Free Legal Services in BC: An overview of CLAS and APB programs (webinar)
    by CLAS, APB, and CLBC
    • What: Learn about the free legal clinics each of these organizations operate and the extent of legal advice or representation assistance a client can expect. This webinar is designed to raise awareness of the services APB and CLAS offer, and eligibility criteria for clients so that you can make more effective referrals for clients seeking free legal assistance and better manage client expectations. Following an overview of the programs, information on how lawyers can get involved in offering services through these programs will also be provided.
    • When: Thursday, February 4, 2021 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
    • Cost: Free

February 8-14, 2021

  • Legal Tech and the Future of Civil Justice: Legal Tech and the Innovation Ecosystem (Webinar)
    by Stanford Law School
    • What: This first session of a four-part virtual event will anchor the sessions to come by providing an overview of the state of “legal tech,” from e-discovery and technology-assisted review (TAR) to software that performs advanced legal analytics and outcome prediction, online dispute resolution (ODR) platforms that many courts have begun to deploy, and a growing catalog of digital tools that serve the unrepresented.
    • When: Wednesday, February 10, 2021 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
    • Cost: Free and open to all

February 15-21, 2021

  • Elder Abuse and Neglect: Legal Framework and Guiding Principles for Best Practice in BC (Webinar)
    • What: Presented by Krista James, National Director, Canadian Centre for Elder Law (CCEL). In this session Krista will identify key BC laws relevant to elder abuse response and share 12 guiding principles for best practice. The session will cover adult guardianship, family violence legislation, care facility requirements, and criminal law.
    • When: Tuesday, February 16, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
    • Cost: Free
  • Legal Tech and the Future of Civil Justice: Legal Tech, Procedure, and the Future of Adversarialism (Webinar)
    by Stanford Law School
    • What: This second session will consider the implications of the new tech tools for civil litigation and the adversarial system, particularly the ways civil procedure rules may need to adapt as legal tech continues its advance. We will consider, among other things, legal tech’s implications for due process and meaningful participation within the legal system; the promise and peril of the migration to remote proceedings, including virtual trials; and the ways continued advances in legal technologies will shift and perhaps even re-set several of the system’s procedural cornerstones, from proportionality in discovery to the work product doctrine.
    • When: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
    • Cost: Free and open to all
  • Investigating the Indigenous Languages Act (Webinar)
    by Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice (CIAJ) and CLBC
    • What: Speakers: Chief Ronald E. Ignace (Stsmél?qen), Skeetchestn Band, Adjunct Professor, Anthropology, Simon Fraser University (Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation); Professor Mariane Ignace, departments of Linguistics and Indigenous Studies, Simon Fraser University; Director, SFU’s Indigenous Languages Program and First Nations Language Centre; Professor Sarah Morales, Faculty of law, University of Victoria (Coast Salish, Cowichan)
      Moderator: The Honourable Justice W. James W. O’Reilly, Federal Court; President, CIAJ.
      (In English, with simultaneous interpretation.)
    • When: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
    • Cost: Free; Registration is required
  • Divorce Act Overview and Q&A: For Professionals (Webinar)
    by John-Paul Boyd, QC
    • What: This free webinar covers the important changes to the Divorce Act coming into effect on 1 March 2021. We’ll discuss the new jurisdictional tests; the new duties of parties, counsel and the courts; the new language about parenting after separation; the new best interests factors; and, the new rules governing mobility issues. This webinar is open to anyone, but is aimed at legal and mental health professionals working with families going through separation and restructuring.
    • When: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
    • Cost: Free

February 22-28, 2021

  • Legal Tech and the Future of Civil Justice: Legal Tech and Access to Justice (Webinar)
    by Stanford Law School
    • What: This third session will focus in on the distributive effects of new legal technologies within the civil justice system. If the 2008-2009 Great Recession is any guide, the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic will trigger a spike in consumer credit and eviction cases, placing substantial pressure on state courts to innovate, including expanded use of virtual hearings, pre-hearing diversion programs, and court-ordered online dispute resolution processes. The coming surge will also bring to a boil an already-simmering debate about the high prevalence of pro se litigants within the system. All of these issues raise important questions about the degree to which the uptake of new legal technologies, and the rules governing their use, will widen or narrow the gap between litigation’s “haves” and its “have nots”—a core concern of anyone working within the civil justice field.
    • When: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM
    • Cost: Free and open to all

Disclaimer: These events are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the Clicklaw team of any of the products or services of the organizations. Contact the external site for questions regarding their events.

Stay informed:

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