Britain - 'Groundbreaking' legislation website launched… [2010-07-29 National Archives]

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/478.htm

'Groundbreaking' legislation website launched

29 July 2010

A new website launched today by The National Archives gives clearer, faster and easier access to legislation, from Magna Carta to the latest statutory instruments. At www.legislation.gov.uk < http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ > you can find details of everything on the statute book, in one place and free of charge.


Democracy and transparency

The website is a world first, enabling officials, lawyers and ordinary citizens alike to scrutinise the laws on which their legal rights and responsibilities are based. It takes forward Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's recent call for wider democratic involvement in the legislative process and opens up legislation data for others to use in their own applications and services, in line with the government's open data policy.

'This is the public's statute book,' said Lord McNally, Minister of State and Deputy Leader of House of Lords. 'Legislation.gov.uk presents complex information in a clear and intuitive way. This is groundbreaking work that puts democracy at the heart of legislation and makes a major contribution to the government's transparency agenda.'

Acting CEO of The National Archives, Oliver Morley, described the launch of legislation.gov.uk as 'a bold statement of transparency'.


Evolution of legislation

Containing a massive 6.5 million PDF documents, the new website shows both the original version of any piece of UK legislation covering all jurisdictions (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and details of any amendments, so that those accessing it can see how laws have evolved. A simple web search will quickly find key legislation like the Consumer Credit Act and the Data Protection Act, and special features include an interactive browse facility and timeline.

Mr Morley continued: 'By using the latest technology and opening up the raw data underpinning legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives has given global access to the nation's "operating system". I'm proud to say this website is the only example of its kind in the world. It provides access to an invaluable and historical resource for anyone wanting to know what the law actually says.'

Legislation.gov.uk < http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ > replaces The Office of Public Sector Information < http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ > and Statute Law Database < http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/contact/default.htm > websites to deliver an integrated and responsive service and better value to the taxpayer.

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