FOREIGN LAW RESEARCH GROUP
Meeting July 1st 2009, Room C, British Library, 13:00-15:00

Present: R. Bird (RB), Bodleian Law Library, L. Young, (LY), Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Library, P. Clinch (PC), Cardiff University Law Library, J. Grimshaw (JG), British Library, I. Wollner (IW), British Library, S. Spells (SS), SOAS

1 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

J. Winterton (JW), Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Library, D. Wills (DW), Squire Law Library, J. Sims (JS) British Library

2 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING

2.1 Minutes were agreed

2.2 Matters Arising

2.2.1 Upgrade of Moys Classification

SS reported that Diane Morris would be editing the 4th edition of the Moys Classification, assisted by Helen Garner. The editorial group would be meeting for the first time on July 15th. SS undertook to liaise with RB if further assistance was required.

2.2.2 BL Law Content Strategy

RB asked JG to convey the Group’s thanks to JS for the draft which he had circulated for comment. JG reported on behalf of JS that the draft would be revised in the light of focus groups and interviews with members of the Society of Socio-Legal Studies in November.

3 UPDATE ON RELEVANT INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

Group members gave verbal updates on significant developments at their institutions

4 DISTRIBUTED NATIONAL COLLECTION OF LEGAL GAZETTES

4.1 Deposit of Material at the BL

JG reported that the next list of gazettes to be withdrawn from the iALS Library had been checked against BL holdings and material required to fill gaps had been identified. Arrangements for its transfer were in progress.

4.2 Revision of FLaRE Union List of West European Gazettes

JG reported that she had checked the current status of BL holdings of West European gazettes and the existence of web versions. A list of amendments had been sent to LY for action. IW reported that work on checking the BL’s East European holdings was progressing. She and LY agreed that amendments should be fed through gradually.
ACTION: LY/IW

5 BL COLLECTION GUIDES ON WEBSITE

JG reported that the guide to the BL’s historic European Union collections had been added. The guide to Polish legal materials being completed by JS was progressing.
ACTION: JS

6 COVERAGE OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPEAN LAW

JG reported that due to the virtual embargo on new serial orders no existing gaps in national coverage could be filled by the BL.

7 IMPACT OF SERIALS CANCELLATIONS AT THE BL

See 3.4 above

8 FLaRE INDEX TO TREATIES

PC reported that this had been effectively publicised through articles in the professional press and a presentation and the 2009 BIALL Conference and that it had been well received. The website had been visited 3,500 times in April/May 2009 and several complimentary emails had been received. He added that the information was correct to Sept./Oct 2008 and would soon need updating, requiring an estimated two days of his time. LY agreed to ask JW if IALS could fund this.
ACTION: LY

9 DEBATE ON FUTURE OF NATIONAL COLLECTION OF FOREIGN LEGAL MATERIALS

Attempts to generate interest and a debate on the future development of the national foreign law collection among users had failed. It was felt that they would not be concerned until an emergency arose, ie when the materials required for research were not available. RB offered to see if a response could be elicited through a survey of the BIALL academic list and agreed to draw up questions in consultation with PC. JG reported that JS would raise the issue at his planned focus groups and interviews with socio-legal scholars, and in an article for the SLSA Newsletter.
ACTION: RB/PC and JS

10 UPDATE OF FLAG DATABASE

PC pointed out that the FLaG database had last been updated in 2007 and a revision was now due. LY agreed to ask JW if IALS could cover the cost, mainly PC’s time. All FLaRE members had been keeping a record of changes to holdings, which should make the work easier. JG reminded PC that the British Library was refilling its UN collection. They would inform him of pressmark changes once the work was complete.
ACTION: LY

11 SOAS REVIEW OF AFRICAN LEGAL HOLDINGS

SS undertook to send the list of countries/titles checked to date to LY for IALS consideration and response. She will also supply LY with a list of jurisdictions where SOAS will continue with its subscriptions. She still had not received a response from SOAS Law School as to their priorities.
ACTION: LY/SS

12 AOB

None

13 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

November 11th 2009, at 13:00 at the BL.

J.M. Grimshaw
July 7th 2009