I had the opportunity to review “Is Law Computable?: Critical Perspectives on Law and Artificial Intelligence” for the Canadian Law Library Review (46(4), 2021). This was edited by Simon Deakin and Christopher Markou and published last year by Hart Publishing (ISBN: 978-1-5099-3706-6).

This is the short version:

If you have any interest in artificial intelligence (AI), especially if it’s coupled with a desire to learn more about how developments in AI are related to law and legal technology, then this collection of papers has been compiled just for you.

…

While AI continues to seep into many areas

Primary Research Group is a New York-based publisher of research reports and surveys about universities, libraries, law firms, hospitals, museums, and other institutions and law libraries in particular could learn a lot from their publications.

The group’s reports tend to gather information from a wide variety of library types, both in the United States and Canada, and on topics such as staffing levels, the use of artificial intelligence, database licensing trends, spending on e-content, views of library services by law faculty members, and much more.

Their most recent publication is the Survey of Law Library Plans for the Print Materials . . . [more]

I am always on the lookout for innovative ways that libraries have found to create great stories about complex legal or historical issues that have many moving parts.

This one is quite remarkable: the Leddy Library at the University of Windsor has created a site that tells the story of the Missing Children of Indian Residential Schools using maps.

This intereactive visual representation of the residential school locations across Canada uses data from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission report to document the experience:

“The recent discoveries of more than 1,700 unmarked graves at the sites of former residential schools in

CALL/ACBD is accepting nominations for the 2022 Hugh Lawford Award for Excellence in Legal Publishing.

The Canadian Association of Law Libraries has long had an annual award for excellent legal publishing. Some years ago, we renamed the award we present after Queens University Professor Hugh Lawford (1933-2009) to recognize his contributions to legal publishing in Canada. As a group of legal information specialists, our work depends on being able to access and share high-quality legal knowledge.

We value innovation and this award is open to legal content in all information formats. Slaw.ca was recognized with this award in 2009.

The . . . [more]

Given recent events, examining the impact of criminal law on Indigenous people should be on the agenda of every criminal lawyer in Canada. Lawyers and judges need to understand that cases involving Indigenous accused persons and victims require specific knowledge and skills. Jonathon Rudin’s “Practitioner’s Handbook on Indigenous People and the Criminal Justice System” provides both the means to understand the case law and valuable insights into representing indigenous clients.

This book should be considered to be an “essential” reference work. Mention of this book has previously been made on Slaw. The first time was when it was announced that . . . [more]

Leading Legal Disruption: Artificial Intelligence and a Toolkit for Lawyers and the Law
Giuseppina D’Agostino, Aviv Gaon and Carole Piovesan
2021 Thompson Reuters
ISBN 978-0-7798-9871-8

In an age where so many clients that I assisted were implementing machine learning systems and other artificial intelligence (AI) systems this book, Leading Legal Disruption: Artificial Intelligence and a Toolkit for Lawyers and the Law, is a welcome resource.

The book is a collection of essays that explore different facets of artificial intelligence and thereby, together, build up a more robust understanding for the reader on many of the practical and policy challenges that . . . [more]

In the article “What does a user-centered eviction court summons look like?”, Margaret Hagan answers this question. Her analysis can be applied to most court forms. The key design principles outlined are as follows:

1. Have a clear visual hierarchy. Put the first and second most important information in large boxes, with icons, indented lists, and images.
2. Make it easily readable. Use small blocks of text and short sentences. Follow plain language. Use lists where possible. Bold each paragraph’s take away.
3. Use symbols and images when possible. Be sure to have a court logo or seal to impart that

Several times each month, we are pleased to republish a recent book review from the Canadian Law Library Review (CLLR). CLLR is the official journal of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL/ACBD), and its reviews cover both practice-oriented and academic publications related to the law.

Managing Privacy in a Connected World. By Éloïse Gratton & Elisa Hendry. Toronto: LexisNexis Canada, 2020. 488p. Includes bibliographic references and index. ISBN 9780433503651 (softcover) $190.00. 

Reviewed by Stef Alexandru
Librarian
Lawson Lundell LLP
In CLLR 46:2

Managing Privacy in a Connected World expertly ties together privacy and emerging practice . . . [more]

Several times each month, we are pleased to republish a recent book review from the Canadian Law Library Review (CLLR). CLLR is the official journal of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL/ACBD), and its reviews cover both practice-oriented and academic publications related to the law.

Wounded Feelings: Litigating Emotions in Quebec, 1870–1950. By Eric H. Reiter. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2019. xiii, 482 p. Includes illustrations, bibliographic reference, and index. ISBN 9781487506551 (hardcover) $55.00; ISBN 9781487526986 (softcover) $44.95. 

Reviewed by Mary Hemmings
Law Librarian and Instructor
Faculty of Law, Thompson Rivers University
In CLLR 46:2 . . . [more]

Several times each month, we are pleased to republish a recent book review from the Canadian Law Library Review (CLLR). CLLR is the official journal of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL/ACBD), and its reviews cover both practice-oriented and academic publications related to the law.

The Canadian Law of Obligations: Access to Justice. Edited by Hilary Young. Toronto: LexisNexis Canada, 2020. xxx, 255 p. Includes illustrations, bibliographic references, and index. ISBN 9780433505754 (softcover) $130.00. 

Reviewed by Emily Nickerson
Law & Business Librarian
Diana M. Priestly Law Library, University of Victoria
In CLLR 46:2

The Canadian . . . [more]

Several times each month, we are pleased to republish a recent book review from the Canadian Law Library Review (CLLR). CLLR is the official journal of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL/ACBD), and its reviews cover both practice-oriented and academic publications related to the law.

A Great Revolutionary Wave: Women and the Vote in British Columbia. By Lara Campbell. Vancouver: UBC Press, 2020. 310 p. Includes photographs, illustrations, table of contents, bibliographic references, and index. ISBN 9780774863223 (hardcover) $27.95; ISBN 9780774863254 (eBook) $27.95. 

Reviewed by Dominique Garingan
Library Manager, Calgary
Parlee McLaws LLP
In CLLR . . . [more]

Several times each month, we are pleased to republish a recent book review from the Canadian Law Library Review (CLLR). CLLR is the official journal of the Canadian Association of Law Libraries (CALL/ACBD), and its reviews cover both practice-oriented and academic publications related to the law.

Abortion and the Law in America: Roe v Wade to the Present. By Mary Ziegler. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2020. xvii, 312 p. Includes timeline, notes, bibliographic references, and index. ISBN 9781108735599 (softcover) $33.95.

Reviewed by Margo Jeske
Emerita Law Librarian (Retired)
University of Ottawa
In CLLR 46:2

On . . . [more]