This is an in-depth instructor-led web course focusing on legal research skills using Internet resources. Weekly classes cover a variety of law-related topics: participants are expected to read the weekly online course readings, use the web to practice the skills taught each week, participate in interactive online discussion groups with the instructor and fellow participants, and complete short written assignments based on the material covered. During the course, the instructors will:

• outline the legal systems and legal research tools of Canada, Britain and the United States
• appraise law-related reference tools on the Internet, including search engines, directories, listservs and dictionaries
• examine case law on the Internet
• locate online statutes, online regulations and orders-in-council, legislative Bills, Hansard debates, committee reports

Please note that this course will mainly emphasize materials readily available on the Internet, including commercial electronic resources, and that print sources will only be discussed briefly.

Class #1: Introduction: Presents an overview to legal research, the types of tools used and the pros and cons of using Web resources. Recommended starting points are introduced along with techniques for evaluating law-related information on the Internet.

Class #2: Canadian Legal Resources: Introduces web-based Canadian legislative research and the resources needed for conducting statutory research.

Class #3: Canadian Statutory Research: Shows how to find and update statutes and regulations federally and provincially, and how to write a legal citation.

Class #4: Canadian Case Law: Explains the judicial process, strategies for doing case law research, and the importance of noting-up case law. Tools will be CanLII for on-the-Web research, and the online legal database,WestlaweCARSWELL.

Class #5: United States Legal Resources: Explores online American legal resources, including legislation, case law and other sources of American law-related information.

Class #6: United Kingdom and Foreign Law: Explores online British legal resources, and looks at foreign law resources from other jurisdictions such as Australia and the Caribbean.

Class #7: International Law: Looks at online treaty resources and the European Union and the United Nations.

How the Course Works:
An email is sent to participants each Monday introducing the topic for the week. Material about the topic, pointers to important sites, and short assignments are provided at the website. Students work with the lessons and then submit their assignments for discussion with the instructor and other students. Students receive individual attention from the instructors. Please allow between 3 - 8 hours each week to comfortably cover the material.

Course Requirements:
Web-based courses are modular in structure and learning builds on the lessons in the previous module. For this reason it is essential that assignments be completed in sequence and no later than one week (Sunday to Sunday) after being assigned. Students may request an extension from their instructor for medical or other valid reasons.

Computer Requirements:

• Computer with Internet connection and a personal email account accessable from any location - home, office, internet cafe.
• Windows: Windows: XP or Vista with browsers Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher or Firefox 2.0/3.0.
  Apple: Mac OS 10.3 and higher using Safari 2 or 3 or Firefox 2.0.

• I thought this course was really excellent. The readings were clear and informative, and the assignments were realistic. I feel much more confident to undertake my job. Thank you!
• This was a terrific experience and I’ve learned so much. Claire you’re Great!
• The work that went into this course was obvious.  The attention to detail and the quality of the material and it's sources shone through.
• I am becoming addicted to the chase and can hardly wait to see what each Monday will bring. I am also amazed at how comprehensive your materials are.
• Thank you for making this course so interesting and so much fun, and for providing such valuable course materials.
• I would recommend this course to everyone. I wish there were more like it. I went to Internet sites and accessed information I never knew was available and which will be most useful in my job.