Transcript Slides - BC Libraries

Searching QP LegalEze and BC Laws:
BC Legislation and How to Find It
A Workshop for
BC Public Libraries
1
4/28/2020
LegalEze
Acknowledgements
This workshop has been developed with the assistance of:
2

Nancy Hannum, Consultant

Ene Haabniit & Cheryl Stenstrom, Public Library Services Branch

Courthouse Libraries BC

The Legal Services Society
LegalEze
4/28/2020
Introduction
The main focus of this workshop is on how to search QP LegalEze, the database
of B.C. statutes, regulations and other legislative materials.
3
LegalEze
4/28/2020
Your presenters today:
Janet Freeman
LawMatters Program
Coordinator, Courthouse
Libraries BC
4
LegalEze
Rebecca Slaven, Client
Services Librarian,
Courthouse Libraries BC
4/28/2020
Agenda
5

Overview of Legal Process (in B.C.)

Comparison of BC Laws to QP LegalEze

Introduction to QP LegalEze: Quick Search & Using the Menu

Break/Practice Questions

Advanced & Boolean Search Forms

Currency of Legislation

Additional Sources of Legal Information

Questions/ Wrap-Up
LegalEze
4/28/2020
Workshop Objectives
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
6

Understand some basic concepts about how laws are made in BC

Describe the contents of the QP LegalEze database

Navigate the database and print results

Use the advanced and boolean search forms
LegalEze
4/28/2020
Types of Legal Information Sources









7
Primary Sources = Actual Laws
Federal & Provincial statutes (acts) & regulations
Case law
Secondary Sources
Popular law books and pamphlets (e.g. Self-Counsel Press)
Legal dictionaries
Legal textbooks
Government web sites & other web sites which explain the law
They can:
–
Provide an overview of a legal topic in plain language
–
Identify jurisdictions
–
Identify key primary sources
LegalEze
4/28/2020
Sample Secondary Source:
BC Employment Standards Branch Web Site
8
LegalEze
4/28/2020
The Legal Process
A Brief Overview
Useful Resource:
Legislation Made Easy, 3rd ed. by Gail
Nash. Crown Publications: Victoria.2010
9
4/28/2020
LegalEze
How A Bill Becomes A Law in B.C.
A Proposed Law is drafted - usually by a government Ministry
First Reading - Bill is introduced in Legislative Assembly
[In QP LegalEze]
Second Reading - Bill is debated
Committee Stage - detailed consideration of Bill
Third Reading - FINAL version of the Bill is printed with amendments
[In QP LegalEze]
Royal Assent – a law becomes “in force” upon Royal assent; or by regulation on a later date
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: Table of Bills tracks status of Bills
10
LegalEze
4/28/2020
Table of Bills in QP LegalEze
11
LegalEze
4/28/2020
Comparing Free BC Laws Website to QP LegalEze
Free public site: BC Laws www.bclaws.ca






12
is maintained by the BC Queen's Printer
includes BC Statutes and Regulations, Orders in Council, Regulations Bulletin
is usually current 7-14 days after changes in legislation but due to staffing issues,
is now 3-4 months behind
uses a simple search feature. Searching within a statute requires using the
Windows edit - find function on your toolbar
See the BC Laws FAQ Section Tab (Question #17) for a chart showing comparison
of BC Laws to QP LegalEze.
For checking new bills, amendments, repeals and Hansard debates use the BC
Legislative Assembly site: www.leg.bc.ca
LegalEze
4/28/2020
QP LegalEze License & Access
13

Created and maintained by the Queen’s Printer

Licensed by the Libraries and Literacy Branch for in-library use in all B.C. public
libraries

For access issues contact Tami Setala, Licensing and Business Development
Manager, BC Libraries Cooperative, 1.855.383.5761 ext 1015, email
[email protected]
LegalEze
4/28/2020
What’s in QP LegalEze?
14

B.C. Statutes and Regulations

Bills (1st & 3rd Reading)
– government bills
– members’ bills
– private bills

Act/Ministry Responsibilities

Hansard (debates of the Legislative Assembly)
LegalEze
4/28/2020
What’s Included - Bills
15
LegalEze
4/28/2020
What’s Included – Act/Ministry Responsibilities
16
LegalEze
4/28/2020
What’s Included - Hansard
17
LegalEze
4/28/2020
What’s Included – Misc.
18
LegalEze
4/28/2020
What’s Not in QP LegalEze?
19

Federal laws

Laws from other provinces

Case law

Secondary legal information sources

Historical material (Pre 1991 Statutes)
LegalEze
4/28/2020
When to Use QP LegalEze?
20

To find a specific B.C. statute, regulation or other piece of legislation

When secondary sources don’t provide enough information

When someone wants to know the status of legislation

When you want to search a number of legislative materials all at once

For current B.C. legislation
LegalEze
4/28/2020
Challenges to Using QP LegalEze & Legal Reference Work
21

The law and language of the law are often confusing to lay people – including
library staff!

Navigation can be tricky (e.g. opening & closing folders; remembering “where you
are” in the database)

The Law and QPLegalEze change

Clients may want you to interpret the law – or even provide legal advice – which
you cannot do.
LegalEze
4/28/2020
Break & Hands-On Practice
(15 minutes)
22

If you sign off LiveMeeting, reconnect again through your email invitation

Open QP LegalEze at your workstations

If you hang up the phone, phone the conference call number again
LegalEze
4/28/2020
Additional Resources
23

Courthouse Libraries BC www.courthouselibrary.ca
– Toll Free: 1-800-665-2570 legal reference or
email to [email protected]
– LawMatters Program: www.bclawmatters.ca
– Clicklaw: www.clicklaw.bc.ca includes a page for Laws, Cases and Rules
www.clicklaw.bc.ca/content/lawscases

Legal Services Society (legal aid) www.lss.bc.ca
–
Family Law in BC www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca includes a page for Legislation /
court rules www.familylaw.lss.bc.ca/resources/legislation.php

B.C. Government Contact
–
Enquiry B.C.: 1 800 663-7867
LegalEze
4/28/2020
Summary
1.
Secondary sources are a good starting point
2.
Four main ways to navigate in QP LegalEze:
-
24
quick search box
menu
advanced search form
Boolean search form
3.
Identify alternate search terms - it can take TIME.
4.
Refer clients to appropriate contacts/resources.
5.
Never try to interpret the law or give legal advice ( see #4 again).
6.
Learning about the law is not just good for your clients – it’s good for you!
LegalEze
4/28/2020
Questions or Comments?
25
LegalEze
4/28/2020
Contact information
Janet Freeman
LawMatters Program Coordinator
Courthouse Libraries BC
Phone:604-660-9204 OR 800-665-2570
Email: [email protected]
Rebecca Slaven
Client Services Librarian
Courthouse Libraries BC
Phone:604-660-2401 OR 800-665-2570
Email: [email protected]
QP LegalEze Webinar Page
www.bclibraries.ca/workshops/QPLegalEz
e/index.php
26
LegalEze
4/28/2020