Legal Web 2008/2009 - Law 2.0 in Progress, published in August 2008, is the no. 8 in a series of
online ebooks with CPD, called "The Legal Web".
These ebooks with CPD (published in pdf) are designed for use in any of three ways:
- reading on screen, with live links to follow up on areas of interest
- printing off in sections for armchair reading
- as an online course qualifying for CPD from the Bar Standards Board and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Each of the titles in the series consist of practical articles written by Nick and Delia and other leading
experts in their fields. Full details of all the courses in the series are given on the
infolaw site but here is a brief summary.
Contents and Course Aims
This e-book looks at how the development of what is known as Web 2.0 is impacting legal practice for
barristers and solicitors.
1. Blogging answers and insights
Blog basics, Effective blogging, Blogs as a publishing platform and
The state of the blawgosphere by Nick Holmes
2. Social networking
MyNetworking by Simon Deane-Johns
An introduction to Twitter by Steve Matthews
The impact of social networking on firms by Damien Behan
3. Syndication (RSS)
Getting the best from RSS by Alex Newson
Feeds for lawyers by Nick Holmes
4. Publishing with Web 2.0
The law publishers and Web 2.0 by Nick Holmes and James Mullan
Case study: LexisNexis by James Mullan
Case study: CaseCheck by Andrew Logie
5. Managing Web 2.0
Getting it wrong with Web 2.0 by Alex Newson
Managing use of Web 2.0 by Rupert Kendrick
Intended Learning Outcomes
The internet is now so much a part of all our lives that we often do not realise the extent of the changes
it has brought with it. In the legal context, the internet has brought with it not only opportunities for
practising the law in new and more efficient ways, but also new legal issues and new types of conflict for
which ordinary people, and businesses, now need legal assistance.
This course is intended to highlight the many opportunities that Web 2.0 provides for legal practice,
provide guidance on implementing them and also flag the risks to be managed.
By considering the changes which the internet has brought to legal life, the practitioner is most likely
to make the most of the new opportunities now available and will have the IT-related knowledge to ensure
that legal advice and legal services continue to be provided by properly trained lawyers.
Gaining the CPD
To qualify for the 5 hours CPD, you need to answer a straight forward set of questions.
You can see the questions
here (you do not have to have already purchased the e-book to see the questions).
The questions are not difficult in themselves
but are intended to indicate, for CPD purposes, that you have indeed worked through the materials,
visited some of the sites described in it and considered the issues raised.
You can print out the questions to keep beside you as you read the e-book.
However, please note that the questions may change from time to time.
The pass rate is 70 per cent and practitioners may submit one further set of answers if they fail the first time.
I am normally able to send you the reply within 2 working days. However, occasionally there are computer problems or I am even on holiday!
If you wish to check on the latest situation with respect to possible
problems or delays, please see
The Problems Page.
Evaluation Form
There is an evaluation form
here which enables you to comment on whether the course has met its
aims and intended learning outcomes, the ease of using the online materials, the relevance of the set of
CPD questions and whether the course gives good value for money. There is also a question relating to
accessibility issues and whether we can make the course easier to use for those with any kind of disability.
You can fill in this form online and submit it to me (the process of doing this is the same
as answering the test questions). If you would prefer to remain anonymous, you can print out the form, fill it in by hand
and post it to me at 10 South Way, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1LU.
Cost and How to Purchase
The course costs £60 plus VAT and includes the use, by one person, of the course, qualifying for 5 CPD points.
A multiple use licence, suitable for organisations with several people likely to use the e-book and including the
licence for up to 5 people to take the course, costs £150 plus VAT.
There is a special "combo" purchase possible, with the purchase of this course together with
Topics of Modern Legal Practice for £95 plus VAT for the single user licence,
and £225 plus VAT for the mutliple user licence.
For organisations purchasing the multiple use licence and wanting more than 5 people to take the course
and obtain the CPD, additional CPD entitlements can be purchased in packs of 5, for £15 a person, ie £75,
plus VAT (obviously, each person still has to take, and pass, the online test!).
You can purchase the course from the infolaw site
here.
After completing the purchase, the user can access and download the course, and when ready, complete the
brief test and be credited with the CPD.
Purchasing is by secure credit card processing and allows immediate
access to the course. If you do not wish to pay by credit card, other payment methods can also be accommodated
on the infolaw site, including sending a cheque. Online access is enabled on receipt of payment.
Special Bonus
As a special bonus we will include a complimentary subscription to the
Internet Newsletter for Lawyers & Law 2.0 (usual price £45)
with any course purchased. If you already have a subscription to the Newsletter in the same name,
your subscription period will be extended to the end of 2009.
