South Africa Laws Database

This fall the Oliver R. Tambo Law Library at the University of Pretoria announced the launch of a new free website, Laws of South Africa: Consolidated Legislation.  The Laws of South Africa database provides both current and "point in time" historical versions of South African laws and regulations in PDF.  Any reliable source of foreign law in English and PDF is welcome for law student research and source gathering, but this project, undertaken with the Southern African Legal Information Institute (SAFLII), is special in showing how statutes such Marriage Act 25 of 1961 (latest version still in force) have changed over the years along with the dramatic changes in South African government and society.

The Laws of South Africa database is a work in progress. Not every statute and regulation has been added, but you will find both current and historical versions of legislation that affects citizens' lives most directly, from family law and wills to employment and the Companies Act.  Check it out. 

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Fixing things and stuff, especially stuff

Even though you can count on your favorite Library to have a cell phone charger, don't you hate it when your own charger wire frays and you have to buy a new one?

With sugru, you can fix it - along with lots of other stuff.  Check out some great ideas for creative applications at sugru.com and get a discount code.  Or check out the video for some really funky ideas.

Hat tip to a Virtual Library Cat fav Prof Hacker

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Email Updates on Specific SCOTUS Cases

"You can now get email updates on this Term’s Supreme Court merits cases when something significant happens, such as the filing of an important brief or the decision being issued.  The option to subscribe is now at the top of each of those case pages."

Hat tip to SCOTUS blog
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Check Out Our iPhone Chargers!

Dead battery the morning after your all-nighter?  Worry no more.  You asked and we listened!

 

You may now check out an iPhone 4 or iPhone 5 charger from the circulation desk in the Hofstra Law library.  Borrowing is limited to 3 hours.

 

http://libweb.hofstra.edu/record=b2395879~S1

*Apologies to the non-apple phone users.  There were just too many other types of chargers to cover all the bases!

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Wikipedia: is there cause for concern?

MIT Technology Review recently published the article "The Decline of Wikipedia" by Tom Simonite.  The article begins "The sixth most widely used website in the world is not run anything like the others in the top 10. It is not operated by a sophisticated corporation but by a leaderless collection of volunteers who generally work under pseudonyms and habitually bicker with each other. It rarely tries new things in the hope of luring visitors; in fact, it has changed little in a decade"....

This article should be of interest to those of us who use Wikipedia which is most of us.  It is a good overview of how Wikipedia came into being, current problems with the site and the reliance on Wikipedia by services such as Ask.com and SIRI.

Go ahead and use Wikipedia but be aware of the drawbacks. Generally recommend that lawyers do not cite to Wikipedia. 

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Online Resources: Class Action Litigation Report (BNA)

If you are looking for a source that will provide coverage of class action and multiparty litigation across the nation and across all subjects with analysis and practical guidance, try the Class Action Litigation Report.  The semi-monthly publication has dates of coverage from April 28, 2000 to the present.

To access Class Action Litigation Report (BNA):

• Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
• Click the "Consumer Law" link
• Scroll down to "Class Action Litigation Report (BNA)"

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

U.S. Supreme Court Adds Two New Cases To Docket

In Hall v. Florida, the Court will decide "whether the Florida scheme for identifying mentally retarded defendants in capital cases violates Atkins v. Virginia”.

In Robers v. United States, the Court “will rule on an issue regarding restitution as a penalty for bank loan fraud”.

Read more here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Ideas on How to Improve The Bluebook? Online Survey - Reply by November 8

Citing Legally recently posted a survey for ideas on how to improve the Bluebook, if you would like to participate in the survey, submissions must be recieved by November 8.

"In preparation for the commencement of work on the 20th edition of The Bluebook, due out in 2015, that manual’s proprietors have placed a survey online at: https://www.legalbluebook.com/survey.  Anyone with views on how that reference might be improved in scope, delivery, or content should register them … soon."


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

SignEasy App - An Easy Way to Sign Documents Online

The SignEasy app allows you to sign almost any documents online, fast and easy.  No more printing and scanning documents that need a signature!  You can add multiple signatures and even create a stamp for your documents.

SignEasy is available for Android, Apple and Blackberry devices.  Read more about the app in this Legal Productivity article.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

What did Einstein know about knowledge management?

This mind-map of Einstein is posted by David Griffiths on the The Knowledge Core Blog.  It is a collection of known Einstein quotes organized as an info-graphic.  Not specific to the legal world, but the questions and quotes are ideas that we should all keep in mind.

Example:"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler."

Just think how this may or may not apply to our laws. 

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat