Merry Christmas

Christmas holidays are almost here, so this is the last post for the year.
Things to look forward to in the New Year are:

• revamped subject guide - cosmetic changes mostly
• WestlawNZ - and the phasing out of the Brookers platform
• more 'how to' guides and mindmaps to help your immediate research needs

Plus a few surprises planned for later, much later in 2014.

Happy holidays.
See you next year .
Best wishes, the Law Librarian.

HelpMePublish mobile app launched

HelpMePublish is a 'crowdsourced' database listing over 5300 academic jouranls in 13 subject areas, and was created by the University of Otago.
The database displays live data as it is contributed to by journal editors (including acceptance rates and refereeing policies) and academic via the app's built in journal rating programme.

They've built it but if HelpMePublish is to be a valuable resource for the research community they need you to contribute your experience as a publishing researcher.



For more information about the HelpMePublish project go to helpmepublish.org.

To download the HMP app go to our App Store page.

How the Richardson Building got its name

Everyday, on your way up to the Law Library, you pass under the sign: Richardson Building (I pushed for the name "Thompson Towers", but Peter from Property Services wasn't convinced!).
Many people might know that Richardson was an early Chancellor of the University, but his contributions to Otago, and to the whole country were far more remarkable.
He is commemorated in the Foyer of his namesake, and I urge you to take a closer look.

Blogging in the Supreme court sees a new wave of 'citizen journalism'

According to the Guardian, (22 October 2013),  the State of Victoria's Supreme Court is moving with the times.
Court reporting has been around for 100's of years (see the Law Library's set of 'Nominate Reports'), and now they're going to employ a retired judge to blog it.

In a recent speech, "Open  justice in a technological age", Victorian Chief Justice, Marilyn Warren said the court’s new interactive website would become a hub for the court’s communication with the public, who would be able to comment on the website, watch video on demand, debate in online forums, and download judgments and summaries.
She said employing a retired judge to blog the courts represented a “historic shift away from traditional judicial reluctance to explain or defend judicial decisions that are made in accordance with the rule of law”.
Warren added that other experts, including academics and journalists, would also be invited to blog for the court.

Can you imagine that happening here?

Ten most bizarre prison sentences

For all you procrastinating LAWS201 students out there, take a look at Oddees' 10 most bizarre prison sentences.
And if that amuses you, try the 12 most ridiculous lawsuits.
Good luck on Tuesday