The wonderful world of the Web weaves a wealth of potentially useful legal information. With care, you can compare and select the best from the rest.

As a body of knowledge, the law has a long tradition of being well-organised, well-indexed and generally, well-maintained. The same disciplined rigour has been applied to the development of useful legal web sites although, occasionally, one happens upon shabby exceptions.

New, innovative or award-winning legal web sites are always appearing (www.bailii.org; www.canlii.org; (both based on the pioneering www.austlii.org/); http:/legal.pro2net.com; www.out-law.com/; www.cliffordchance.com/nextlaw/; www.blueflag.com/; www.comlegal.com/; www.newchange.com; www.elexica.com/ ; www.interactive-lawyer.com/ ; www.lawontheweb.com ; www.justaskinc.bm; www.cdp.bm).

Others are revamped or rebuilt (www.qlsys.ca/(Quicklaw); www.mediate.com; http:/library.ukc.ac.uk/library/lawlinks/; www.biall.org.uk/; www.solicitors-online.com/; www.courtservice.gov.uk; www.open.gov.uk/lcd/).

Some cohabit -- a process known as co-branding or syndication (www.law.com, previously www.lawnewsnetwork.com; www.Lawcommerce.com (strategic alliance with Ernst & Young).

Dynamic, well-designed web sites improve with suggestions from trusted visitors and users. That is particularly true for subscription based sites where subscribers have more leverage on the vendor or may even partner with them on improvements (www.butterworths.co.uk; www.smlawpub.co.uk; www.justis.com; www.lawtel.co.uk; www.lawreports.co.uk/; www.lexis-nexis.com; http:/193.118.187.160/cli.htm (Current Legal Information); www.qlsys.ca/; www.westpub.com/; www.lexislegal.com/; www.hwwilson.com/ (Index to Legal Periodicals); www.carswell.com/law/; www.canadalawbook.ca).

Do not be afraid to use the suggestion boxes or editorial contact e-mails if you have something constructive to say about a web site; your observations or commentary will usually be welcomed.

Be warned, however, that there exists an anarchic mass of unaccredited, badly organised and poor quality material, which perhaps out of the best intentions, offers a specious, do-it-yourself type of legal content.

The unwary or amateur web-surfer should not mistake these as `authoritative' and even the content of good quality sites is not a substitute for thorough, professional legal advice.

So, where the virtual meets the visual and the verbal, how do you decide on the best? `Content is king' and a site should be scrutinised thoroughly for reliability, which means currency, accuracy and clarity, as well as reputation.

As with medicine, the penalty for obsolete or incorrect information can be fatal, so gauge a web site on how often the content changes, scope and relevance of coverage, and the standing and branding of its provider within the legal services sector or within the local community.

The major legal portals can help as they are frequently maintained by legal information professionals or specialists.

While a link from their sites does not necessarily imply endorsement, as a general rule of thumb, they reference better sites that they themselves tend to use, often providing brief comments about reliability or limitations.

(http:/library.ukc.ac. uk/library/lawlinks/ ; www.lexum.umontreal.ca/index--en.html; www.sosig.ac.uk/law/; www.biall.org.uk/; www.venables.co.uk/; www.bailii.org/, www.austlii.org/ and www.canlii.org/; www.lawontheweb.com ; www.infolaw.co.uk/; www.iall.org/calendar.htm ; www.aallnet.org/; www.callacbd.ca; www.allg.asn.au/; www.llrx.com; www.west-knights.com/; www.scl.org/; www.law.cornell.edu/; www.findlaw.com/; http:/lcweb2.loc.gov/law/GLINv1/; www.catalaw.com/).

If you are evaluating a site in an unfamiliar country or city, consider visiting web sites for the legal professional or regulatory bodies in that location. They will usually know about the local players or vendors in the legal sector. (http:/profession.martindale.com/barassoc/restofworld.cfm; www.hg.org/bar.html; www.barcouncil.org.uk/; www.lawsoc.org.uk/; www.lsuc.on.ca; www.cba.org/; www.abanet.org/; http:/profession.martindale.com/ barassoc/us.cfm; www.lawsocnsw.asn.au/; www.hklawsoc.org.hk/; www.ilrg.com/non-profit.html).

Alternatively, try the local Chamber of Commerce (http:/www.worldchambers.com/) or one of the many reputable directories of law firms for background or contextual checks. (http:/www.icclaw.com (Legal, European & Asia-Pac 500 etc); www.smlawpub.co.uk/kimes/; www.martindale.com; www.canadianlawlist.com/; www.projects500.com/; http:/legalmediagroup.com/iflr/; www.law.com/special/professionals /nlj/nlj--clientlist1-50.html).

Another aspect of reliability is ready accessibility, part of a web site's fitness for purpose. So-called `load balancing' problems (more servers needed) can impede and frustrate access, so contact the site owners or use a substitute or alternative.

Simplicity of use is the second hallmark. As a minimum, a site should be uncluttered, concise and logically laid out. Attractive design should not distract visitors from core message and content.

No information should be more than two or at most three hyperlink layers deep.

Having to scroll down for long or complex items is generally not good practice; they should be available as downloadable files in pdf (portable document format) or word processor formats.

Other visitor aids include navigational buttons, a sitemap or directory or subject tree, together with `zones' or `channels' for different legal practice areas or industry focus. Online help is essential; some sites even offer online mini-guides (www.butterworths.co.uk).

A search engine is compulsory for more complex sites. Its presence helps to make sites `sticky' (attractive or enticing); its absence frustrates and alienates visitors. Try testing these principles against a few local and overseas sites to see if they pass muster.

The final hallmark of a good web site is to what extent it provides any value-added services. This goes beyond `brochureware' -- being digital versions of their glossy marketing materials, product or service catalogues -- and offering more than routine publications, articles and client advisories.

Visitors appreciate personalised and pre-filtered, e-mail-based news feeds -- summaries of new legal developments - perhaps even chat groups or newsgroups for key client groupings and document exchange facilities (www.comlegal.com; www.out-law.com/; www.elexica.com/; www.interactive-lawyer.com/ ; www.lawontheweb.com; www.lawtel.co.uk/ www.butterworths.co.uk ; www.law.com; www.lawguru.com; www.legalmediagroup.com ; www.keepAhead.com ; www.notinprint.com).

The most advanced, `next generation' law firm sites offer virtual deal rooms and give clients 24-7 access to their bills and transactions. Some are even offering access to in-house databases for key clients. Examples were listed earlier.

As a new business model of `doing law', of becoming more interactive and creating a sense of community with visitors or clients, they show the way for tomorrow's world of client-draw and retention.

Chris Maiden is the Knowledge Manager at Appleby Spurling & Kempe. He writes and speaks internationally on knowledge management issues. Copies of Mr.

Maiden's columns can be obtained on the Appleby Spurling & Kempe web site at www.ask.bm.

This column should not be used as a substitute for professional legal advice.

Before proceeding with any matters discussed here, persons are advised to consult with a lawyer.