New eLex Issue

The newest issue of the Library’s monthly legal newsletter, eLex, is now out!

Click here to access it now.

In our latest update, we showcase an Access to Justice initiative happening in the library. Additionally, we provide you with the latest news and articles related to this important topic.

Other highlights include remarks from the new Chief Justice, the Auditor General’s report on the Provincial Court, and decisions from FCA and MBKB responding sensitively to self-represented parties.

For previous issues visit our eLex page.

Pinpointing Searches with Enhanced Faceting

Searching for something and not finding any answers is unfortunate, but finding too many answers can be just as frustrating.

Most of us are familiar with performing simple searches. If you need to know something, you can just open up your favorite search engine and ask it a question. If your search results come back with thousands or hundreds of thousands of results, chances are you’ll just look at the first few hits. If you’re desperate, you go to the second page. Part of the library’s work is finding ways to perform better, more efficient searches.

Luckily there are a couple of options to help narrow those results down and make them more relevant. One way is to include Boolean Operators to create a search string that limits the search in a very specific way. But what if your search string is too long and confusing, or you don’t how how to create one? Another option is to limit those results after the search. HeinOnline has made that even easier with new Enhanced Faceting.

Facets are a really helpful way to improve a search that gives too many results. Instead of starting with a complicated search, you can limit the search results afterwards to make the list smaller. This method is important because it helps you find what you need more accurately by customizing your search. It also saves time by avoiding the need to go through a lot of irrelevant or unnecessary results. After your search, you can select filters in various categories to focus on relevant aspects, or weed out unnecessary results.

The nice thing about the HeinOnline version is that it is done in real-time so you can see how the results will be filtered.

Try it yourself next time your searching in HeinOnline. If you ever need help finding something, or would like assistance in learning how to use this, or other databases, contact us at Library@Lawsociety.mb.ca.

Blog Round-Up May/June 2023

A bi-monthly round-up of blog posts from the Manitoba legal community for the months of May and June 2023

Brodsky Amy & Gould

Clarke Immigration Law

Fillmore Riley

“Joshua Rogala’s Criminal Defence Blog”

Matthew Gould Blog (Criminal Law)

MLT Aikins

see more

Robson Crim Legal Blog

see more

Taylor McCaffrey

TDS law

Together: a collaborative family law blog

 Winnipeg Divorce, Child Custody & Family Lawyer

New King’s Bench Practice Directives

June 25, 2023 – Filing of Application or Motion for a Publication Ban or Sealing Order – “Counsel must identify in their pre-trial, triage or case conference briefs whether a publication ban, sealing order or in-camera hearing will be sought and how the media will be advised of such an application.”

June 25, 2023 – Cases involving Statutory Interpretation – “In order to ensure that proper consideration is given to both the French and English versions of legislation where a case involves an issue of statutory interpretation, counsel or a self-represented litigant are to address in their related submissions whether there is discrepancy between the English and French versions. If there is discrepancy, this discrepancy is to be addressed in the submissions regarding the proper interpretation of the statutory provision(s) at issue in accordance with the approach outlined in 5185603 Manitoba Ltd et al v Government of Manitoba et al.”

June 25, 2023 – Tracking of Related Files – “In order to ensure that the judge hearing a matter is aware of related proceedings, counsel must provide information as to any related proceedings in their pre-trial, triage or case conference briefs.
When filing a motion or application in a matter where there is a related proceeding, counsel must file a requisition asking that the related file be provided to the judge along with the file in which the motion or application is brought.”

June 25, 2023 – Use of Artificial Intelligence in Court Submissions – “…there are legitimate concerns about the reliability and accuracy of the information generated from the use of artificial intelligence. To address these concerns, when artificial intelligence has been used in the preparation of materials filed with the court, the materials must indicate how artificial intelligence was used.”


All King’s Bench Practice Directives and Notices can be found here.

New ‘Criminal Law Series’ Online Platform

Our collection of Emond’s Criminal Law Series has moved to it’s new home on the digital VitalSource platform. These eBooks are still available through the Library Resources section of the Member’s Portal, but they have been improved with a new reader interface.

Simply log in to the portal and, in the library resources section, click on the Criminal Law Series image to get started.

When accessing the new platform, users may be greeted with a log in screen. Simply choose “Continue without an account” to gain access to the collection

Navigate over to the “Explore” tab to see the entire Emond’s Criminal Law Series. Click on a title and the “Open book” option to start reading. A helpful pop-up will appear to explain the icons and features available when reading.

Members can also register their own account to save bookmarks, annotations, and preferences, or download the app on desktop or mobile for offline reading.

Please note: The library will be closing early on Friday, December 13th at 11:00AM for a special event.  Regular library service will resume Monday, December 16th at 8:30AM.

The Great Library will be closed from December 25, 2024 to January 1, 2025 for the winter holidays. Regular office hours will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2025.