Having agreed to talk about the challenges involved in providing the Court Service with a library and information service, I started to think about this year's conference theme – knowledge without frontiers – and how it applies to that service. The more I reflected on this role, the clearer it became to me that the service's challenges are also its opportunities. By sharing with you some of the challenges that face Library and Information Services (LIS) staff based in Regional libraries and offices throughout England and Wales, I hope to highlight the opportunities that are also afforded.

Claire McWilliam reports on her trip down under to attend the Asia Pacific Special Health and Law Librarians' Conference.

The development and introduction of CILIP's new Framework of Qualifications is the most significant policy initiative of the newest professional body for the library and information community, writes Marion Huckle, indeed it is arguably the most important development since the Library Association was awarded its Royal Charter in 1898. She outlines the changes and highlights the opportunities for those involved in information work in all sectors and at all levels.

This article is a summary of the paper presented at the 34th Annual Study Conference of BIALL held in Cardiff, June 2003 by Nicki McLaurin Smith and Prue Presser. The paper consisted of a demonstration of LIST (Legal Information Skills Tutorial), which has been developed at the University of Melbourne Law School for the purpose of teaching legal research skills. The paper covered background information, evaluation, successes and shortcomings as well as extending an invitation for involvement in future collaborative projects of this nature with the Legal Resource Centre.

The UK's national library today serves a wider range of users than ever before. The British Library is the world's largest supplier of vital information to science, technology, business, engineering and academia, either at the walk-in reading rooms at St Pancras, London or remotely from the Document Supply Service in Yorkshire. It has also become an advocate for the implementation of a national collection of foreign, comparative and international legal research materials. Additionally, the Library is a well-used resource for professionals such as social workers and clinicians requiring information about the legal framework within which they operate.

This article by Cynthia Fellows describes the growth and development of Alaska's state court law libraries. To provide perspective, the first part of the article highlights the pre-statehood history of Alaska's laws and constitution. The second half describes general characteristics of court libraries in the United States, comments on U.S. case reports and computerised research, and traces the evolution of the Alaska state court libraries and the role of court librarians.

Between us we have attended all the Joint Study Institutes (JSIs) and both had a particular interest in attending the one in Sydney, not least because it was the last in the present cycle. The location of Sydney itself was a great draw and most of the delegates made attendance at the JSI part of a holiday and took the opportunity to visit other parts of Australia at the same time.

Does the Legal Practice Course (“LPC”) form a successful link between the academic study of law and legal practice? Are students passing the LPC properly prepared for their job as a trainee solicitor?

The final morning of any conference is generally regarded as intellectually as well as physically challenging. This year's JSI was no exception, particularly for those from the northern hemisphere. Blue sky, a gentle Pacific breeze, a beautiful college set among verdant halcyon gardens, the morning after a summer barbecue, a day among the spectacular Blue Mountains beckoning, one would have expected only the hardiest of law librarians to brave an 8:30 am session on ethics!

The effect of the Practical Legal Research (PLR) modules of the Legal Practice Course (LPC) course was the main focus of the discussions. The views within this article are general observations from the participants' experiences of working with trainee solicitors. The panel consisted of librarians from a range of different-sized law firms with representation from the academic sector. Comments were also received from our colleagues in barristers' chambers.

Equifax has launched Findout, a comprehensive business and information reporting service. This new service provides detailed information on companies via a free search facility. Information held on the database includes business profiles and all information deposited since 1995 at Companies House. Findout also contains a free business information knowledge base. Reports may be purchased once registration is complete.

Conrad van Laer, from Maastricht University Library, and five colleagues came to Britain earlier this year and he has kindly sent us a report of their visit.

OneSource Information Services has recently launched their Synergy Solution anti-money laundering service. The service addresses the additional requirements raised by the Money Laundering Regulations and Proceeds of Crime Act, which demand that advisors and financial institutions have sufficient processes in place to identify likely money laundering activities. The service lets the user simply type in a name, the complete set of OneSource's data warehouses are searched, and the result is a report complete with an audit trail (for compliance purposes). www.onesource.com.

Helen Ratliffe reports on her trip to Quebec City

This Current Awareness column, and previous Current Awareness columns, are now fully searchable in the new caLIM database (Current Awareness for Legal Information Managers). The caLIM database is available on the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies website at: http://ials.sas.ac.uk/library/caware/caware.htm

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) was extended to higher education institutions by the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001 (SENDA). The legislation applies to libraries, although other teaching and educational activities receive more coverage in the Act and in the explanatory literature that has developed to assist implementation.

Compiled by Gillian Sands and Sam Weston-Smith at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies

The Social Model of Disability sees “disabled people disabled by physical, organisational and/or attitudinal/behavioural barriers in society. For instance it is not an inability to climb stairs that excludes wheelchair users from accessing the different floors of a library but the fact that a lift or ramp is not provided in the first place” (Jones, 2002)

Compiled by Gillian Sands and Sam Weston-Smith at the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.