New Features on Clicklaw

How we can improve Clicklaw, New on Clicklaw, Spreading the word about Clicklaw, The broader context

Clicklaw recently launched a new look that makes it easier to find the legal information and help you’re looking for. We asked for your feedback, we listened, and we’ve made changes to improve the site for you.

Information in many languages

You now have easier access to legal information in many languages. On the header of each page, we’ve added quick links to resources and services in Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Punjabi, Korean and Farsi (Persian), as well as a list of all languages available through Clicklaw. Our Clicklaw contributors produce hundreds of resources in many languages – now it’s easier for you to find them.

Keyword search improvements!

Try out the keyword search and we think you’ll notice a big difference – the search is far more flexible, and you’ll be much more satisfied with the search results. You’ll even find that if you make a spelling mistake, our search engine will notice that and offer you alternatives to choose from.

Search results include HelpMap services

When you look for information on Clicklaw, your search results now include some quick suggestions from our HelpMap. Also, the display for the results is cleaner, easier to read, and includes all resources from three sections: Solve Problems, Learn & Teach, and Reform & Research. You can still  narrow down your search using these sections – just use the “Refine your search” box on the left of the search results screen.

We hope that all of these enhancements will make the site more intuitive and easier for you to find the legal information you need.

Comments? We’d love to hear from you! Post a response on our blog, go to our FaceBook page, contact us via Twitter, or send us an email to editor@clicklaw.bc.ca.

Law Week in BC, April 2011

The broader context

 

The BC branch of the Canadian Bar Association (CBABC) has been super busy organizing Law Week (which is more like Law Month as there are events happening all through April…). Law Weeks kicks off on Wednesday April 6 with a Law Day Open House at the Kamloops Courthouse, where one of the highlights will be a tour of the Kamloops Courthouse Library where you can learn more about using Clicklaw! Here’s a schedule of other activities happening around the province:

And for everyone in BC, there will be Dial-A-Lawyer on April 16, from 10am – 2pm where you can phone to speak to a lawyer, for free, for 15 minutes. This service is available in English and Chinese. Here’s their poster that you can download (PDF, 362KB).

The CBA is one of Clicklaw’s key contributors. They produce over 130 Dial-a-Law scripts, short pieces of basic legal information on a variety of legal issues. They are some of the most popular resources on the Clicklaw website. The scripts are available by phone,  and online where you can read transcripts in Simplified Chinese, English and Punjabi.

The CBABC’s Clicklaw Contributor, Annie, does an amazing job of making sure the scripts are kept up to date on Clicklaw. She also works with her team to develop new scripts to help answer people’s questions about the law. Dozens of scripts were updated on Clicklaw just earlier this year.

The CBABC also runs the Lawyer Referral Service, a program that connects you with a lawyer in your community, and sets up an inital consultation for a small fee of $25.

The Clicklaw team and staff from Courthouse Libraries BC will be attending Law Day in most communities. We hope to see you there!