Free Access to Law Movement

You may be aware of BAILII (the British & Irish Legal Information Institute), which acts as a home for freely available public legal information, including cases, legislation & Law Commission reports. But did you know that it belongs to the worldwide Free Access to Law Movement?

Founded in 2002 by partners from Australia, Canada, South Africa, Hong Kong, the United States and the UK  & Ireland, the movement has grown since then to encompass representatives from across the globe.

One of its main aims is to maximise access to publicly available legal information in order to promote justice and the rule of law.

On a practical level, the member web sites can be a useful way of tracking down primary material from overseas jurisdictions. I've been grateful for the existence of AustLII and CanLII on more than one occasion.

The Free Access to Law Movement web site has a list of members and links through to relevant online resources. Alternatively you may like to start your search at WorldLII which covers material from 123 jurisdictions.