LIBRARY GUIDE
The Library and Information Services is a core activity of Bristol Law Society. It is housed within Bristol Crown Court in the city centre and is open to members of the Society for research, quiet study, and book loans. It also serves as an occasional venue for Society courses and meetings. The Library also provides a Document Delivery Service – details can be found here.
The Library is staffed by Emilio Monserrate (Tel: 0117 976 3092), the Librarian, who is able to provide support and guidance on legal information enquiries.
Opening Hours:
The Library is open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.30pm, although it may close early if there is a course or meeting planned - in which case, a notice will be posted on the front door.
Library Collection:
The Library holds approximately 10,000 books, journals and law reports, including an important collection of pre-1900 law reports, as well as major legal reference sets such as Public General Acts, Statutory Instruments, Halsbury’s Laws and Statutes, Atkins Court Forms and the Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents - all of which can only be used in the Library.
Details of the collection can be seen in the library catalogue and on the Library page of the Society’s website. In endeavouring to keep the collection as up-to-date as financially possible, information on new acquisitions are listed in each month’s Bristol Briefing magazine.
The Librarian will be pleased to answer questions regarding the collection.
Loan policy:
All textbooks, journals and looseleafs are available for 24-hour loan, which may be renewed for a maximum of THREE times either in person or over the phone. FOUR items may be taken at a time. Borrowers will need to complete a borrowing slip at the library counter before taking the book out.
A fine of £1 per book per working day will be charged for overdue returns. It is the responsibility of the borrower to return the book on time and in good condition.
New publications:
The Librarian regularly searches for new titles for the Library, and recommendations are always welcome. We endeavour to keep the collection as up-to-date as possible while also keeping to set financial limits.
Electronic databases:
Members can access the internet and CD-ROM databases such as Current Legal Information (CLI), which contains caselaw dating back to 1947, and journal articles from 1986; Kemp & Kemp Personal Injury Practice; the Encyclopaedia of Forms and Precedents; Civil Procedure Forms and Criminal Procedure Rules. The library catalogue can also be accessed from a computer terminal in the Library.
The Librarian, or a member of staff, will be available to provide assistance. If you have any comments or suggestions on publications or services, please contact the Librarian at librarian@bristollawsociety.com
Emilio Monserrate
Librarian