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Searching QP LegalEze and BC Laws: BC Legislation and How to Find It. A Workshop for BC Public Libraries. Acknowledgements. This workshop has been developed with the assistance of: Nancy Hannum, Consultant Ene Haabniit & Cheryl Stenstrom, Public Library Services Branch - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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04/22/23 LegalEze1
Searching QP LegalEze and BC Laws: BC Legislation and How to Find It
A Workshop for
BC Public Libraries
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Acknowledgements
This workshop has been developed with the assistance of:
Nancy Hannum, Consultant
Ene Haabniit & Cheryl Stenstrom, Public Library Services Branch
Courthouse Libraries BC
The Legal Services Society
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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.
Your presenters today:
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Janet Freeman LawMatters Program
Coordinator, Courthouse Libraries BC
Rebecca Slaven, Client Services Librarian,
Courthouse Libraries BC
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Agenda
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
Workshop Objectives
By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:
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
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Types of Legal Information Sources
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
Sample Secondary Source:BC Employment Standards Branch Web Site
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The Legal Process A Brief Overview
Useful Resource: Legislation Made Easy, 3rd ed. by Gail Nash. Crown Publications: Victoria.2010
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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
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Note: Table of Bills tracks status of Bills
Table of Bills in QP LegalEze
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Comparing Free BC Laws Website to QP LegalEze
Free public site: BC Laws www.bclaws.ca
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
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QP LegalEze License & Access
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]
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What’s in QP LegalEze?
B.C. Statutes and Regulations
Bills (1st & 3rd Reading)– government bills– members’ bills– private bills
Act/Ministry Responsibilities
Hansard (debates of the Legislative Assembly)
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What’s Included - Bills
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What’s Included – Act/Ministry Responsibilities
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What’s Included - Hansard
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What’s Included – Misc.
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What’s Not in QP LegalEze?
Federal laws
Laws from other provinces
Case law
Secondary legal information sources
Historical material (Pre 1991 Statutes)
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When to Use QP LegalEze?
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
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Challenges to Using QP LegalEze & Legal Reference Work
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.
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Break & Hands-On Practice (15 minutes)
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
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Additional Resources
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
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Summary
1. Secondary sources are a good starting point
2. Four main ways to navigate in QP LegalEze:
- 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!
Questions or Comments?
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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 Pagewww.bclibraries.ca/workshops/QPLegalEze/index.php
