Whether we are always conscious of it or not, the law affects practically every
aspect of our lives from the cradle to the grave. We are required to register
all births and deaths, and decisions we make during our lifetime including
jobs, marriage and buying our own home are all subject to legal contracts.
The law governs our relationships with other people, and is the foundation
upon which a civilised democratic society is based.
This being the case, it would be surprising if, from time to time, questions
involving the law did not occur to us to which we did not immediately know
the answer. And worse still, we might not know where to look to find the answer,
especially if there was no urgent need to consult a solicitor straightaway.
For instance: “I think the meter
reading used to calculate my electricity bill is wrong. What can I do about
it?”
Or: “If I am accused of a motoring
offence, am I obliged to give my name as the driver at the relevant time?
If you are an employer: “What
are the basic issues to be aware of in relation to Age Discrimination?”
And a final example: “What type
of legal work does Legal Aid cover?”
Until recently, finding authoritative
information about these varied topics would have been frustrating and time-consuming.
But now help is at hand – at
the click of a mouse.
There is now an online legal database accessible free-of-charge from your
own home or office computer that will answer most of the legal questions that
you are likely to want to ask it.
The concept of an online source of
Scots law sounds like a database comprising downloads of dusty legal tracts
with arcane references to case law – but
nothing could be further from the truth.
One of the best things about it is that it is extremely user-friendly, and
you need absolutely no prior legal knowledge or expertise in order to be able
to use it.
You start with a question, which the system then categorises into a relevant
area of law, and then comes back with digestible chunks of pertinent legal
information, written in plain English.
You can ask your question in your own
words, and the database’s powerful
search engine will be able to come up with the relevant information you require.
Information on all aspects of Scots law can be accessed, ranging from family
law through to the legislative procedure of the Scottish Parliament.
We at Frazer Coogans are pleased that the new legal database is now available
here on our own website.
Especially as we are the first firm of solicitors to offer this free new
service in Ayrshire.
When you next need some legal information
or the answer to a legal question, simply scroll down the menu on the left
hand side. Click “legal info”,
and when you get to that page, if you are a first-time user, click “register”.
You will be asked to choose a User
Name and a password for yourself, and to provide your name and e-mail address.
This takes only a couple of minutes,
and then you can proceed to “Search for content” and key in your
question.
You do not need to be an existing client of Frazer Coogans in order to make
use of this service, but if it is legal advice you need rather than factual
information, then you will need to consult a solicitor as well.
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