Published in the Solicitors Journal.

Freedom of Information

The Chancellor of the Duchy, published the Government’s White Paper, Your Right to Know, setting out its proposals for a Freedom of Information Act on 11 December 1997, saying that ‘Openness is fundamental to the political health of a modern state. This White Paper marks a watershed in the relationship between the government and people of the United Kingdom. At last there is a government ready to trust the people with a legal right to information. This right is central to a mature democracy.’ The White Paper and more are available on the FOI Unit site.

Direct Access Government

Direct Access Government is a service created by the Government Better Regulation Unit to provide information about a wide range of government regulations. It also gives many of the forms commonly needed by business. The service was launched in November 1997 and new forms and guidance are being added to it all the time.

National Publishing

National Publishing at The Stationery Office is the prime source of government and official publications in the UK and distributor for many major international organisations. Their site gives access to all NP publications and links to online publications.

North of the border

New sites for Scots lawyers are:

• The Scots Law Page
• The Edinburgh Law Review
• The Scottish Office
• The Scottish Devolution website

Publisher news

• Sweet & Maxwell have introduced a What’s New page on their site
• Masons Computer Law Reports will from January 1998 be published by Jordans on a subscription basis, though still available æhere at Masons’
• A site well worth visiting is OUP Law where information and abstracts from numerous journals are online
• An online version of Butterworths Law Directory is now accessible, as is New Law Online (apparently just the current issue)

Penal Lexicon behind bars

The Penal Lexicon, the most comprehensive site on criminal justice and penal reform, ‘deeply regrets having to institute a subscription-based system’. Prevarication by the Prison Service and Home Office apparently left the PL with no other choice. Unfortunately, the entire resource is now inaccessible except to paying subscribers.Those looking for a free resource in this area will not be disappointed in the Prisons Handbook site. As well as extracts from the book, the site provides a useful set of Criminal Justice Links.

Lawyers to pay fair tax shock

The Practice Development Committee of the Bar has set up shop on the web. The site leads with the recent decision by the Government ‘to withdraw the practices which permit some professional businesses to pay tax on profits worked out on a specially favourable basis (the ‘cash’ basis). This will level the playing field for all businesses … It is fully in line with the Government’s objective of a fair and equitable tax system.’