Library Resources
There are five computer workstations in the library, loaded with the MS Office suite of products, and unrestricted internet access.
Copying and Printing are available for $0.10 per page through a paper. Scanning and Faxing are also available.
Our print collection contains up-to-date titles in a diverse selection of areas of law, based on our mandate to provide materials for the practicing bar. Search the Library Catalog for books in our collection, as well as links to e-books and historic Manitoba judgments.
Circulation Policy
5 business days for reserve materials.
30 calendar days for general collection.
Please call 204-945-1958 or email library@lawsociety.mb.ca if you wish to renew the checked-out library materials.
Library materials may be renewed 3 times.
The borrower is responsible for the cost of replacing any lost or damaged materials.
Materials will be considered lost when they are 30 days overdue and our reminders go unanswered.
In the event of overdue materials, borrowing privileges and access to research services will be suspended until the item(s) have been returned in good condition or the replacement cost has been paid.
Please note that lending privileges are only extended to members of the Law Society of Manitoba.
Legal Research Assistance
- Retrieving difficult to find cases, journal articles and commentary
- Finding legal authority for your problem, and direct you to leading cases and commentary
- Instructing and conducting historical legislation research
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located? Do I need to go through security?
We are in the Old Law Courts Building at 408 York Avenue. The general public need to pass through a security screening, so be sure not to bring any unneeded items, and factor in extra time when visiting.
To find us once you pass through the entrance, continue down the hall to the old building and head up to the third floor. We are in room 331 at the end of the hall around a corner. Watch for “The Great Library” on signs.
What sort of services and supports do you offer?
Library staff assist in finding relevant legal information by lending resources, sourcing caselaw and articles, and provide research services.
Is the library open to the public/ law students? Can I come in and study?
Short answer — yes.
The Library primarily serves members of the Law Society of Manitoba but is open to those with legal business or research needs.
Law students are welcome to use the library as a quiet study space.
Do you have precedents? Forms?
We have the first two divisions of O’Brien’s Encyclopedia of Forms, Canadian Forms and Precedents, and Bullen and Leake and Jacob’s Canadian precedents of pleadings.
What kind of books do you have?
We purchase print materials, which may be used in the library or borrowed for use in your office.
- Leading looseleaf titles in the area of competency, conflicts, employment law, class actions, administrative law, constitutional law, criminal law
- Leading texts on evidence, contractual interpretation, construction of statutes, limitations of actions, trusts
Newer items are kept on reserve and can be lent for up to 48 hours or relevant section copied/scanned and emailed to you; older items can be borrowed for a month or longer.
Find a book by searching our online catalogue.
How can I stay up-to-date on legal topics?
eLex – Issued monthly, eLex will informs readers of the latest in select decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada, Federal Court of Appeal, and all three levels of Manitoba courts, organized by practice area. Additional content will include articles and annotations from legal journals, and practice notices and directives from Manitoba Courts. To stay informed and receive future issues of eLex simply subscribe by emailing library@lawsociety.mb.ca.
Great LEXpectations – Follow our blog Great LEXpectations for up to date information on the library and the law. Updates on new legislation, case highlights, new materials and much more! https://lawlibrary.ca/blog
Do you have Westlaw or Lexis+?
Staff have access to Westlaw and Lexis+. We can provide members with copies from those services if you are looking for something specific.
We also provide research assistance and use those resources as well as others to provide cases, articles, commentary, and other texts on legal problems.
If you have something you would like us to look up just send us and email library@lawsociety.mb.ca or give us a call 204-945-1958
What happened to all the books in the front room?
You may have noticed the shelves in our front reading room are now empty.
Don’t worry we still have the books. We have shifted our collection around and moved everything into the main room or moved them to our archive.
Digital Resources
These online resources can be accessed in the Member’s Portal for Law Society of Manitoba members.
vLex
Canadian, American and U.K caselaw and commentary. Canadian content is provided by the former Maritime Law Book’s national reporting series, including its extensive indexing system, with new caselaw continuing to be added and edited. U.S. content includes federal and state case law going back to at least to the 1930s; legislation includes archived versions of the U.S. Code since 2000; a negative citator system provided in partnership with Casemaker. The vLex Justis UK Core collection is comprised of an archive and updated collection that includes both reported and unreported content.
Contains the complete collection of “Essentials of Canadian Law” from Irwin Law, as well as other legal texts and public documents.
Emond’s Criminal Law Series *Now on vLex*
eBooks on the practical and procedural aspects of criminal law. Most titles are authored by both defence and Crown counsel. Titles include Criminal Appeals, Digital Evidence, Impaired Driving and more.
Rangefindr
Criminal Sentencing digest and calculator, using data pulled from CanLII’s database of decisions.
Heinonline
An extensive selection of legal journals and legislative materials. We subscribe to the Canadian Core Package.
Additional Electronic Subscriptions
Library staff has access to these online databases and services.
Lexis+
Quantum Services in Personal Injury and other areas Commentary
- Halsbury’s Laws of Canada – Complete Collection
- Legal news – Netletter collection
Westlaw Edge
- CriminalCore
- Estates & Trusts Source
- FamilySource
- LawSource
- Commentary
We use these services when assisting in legal research. Contact us with your question and we can provide content, cases, or commentary from these providers.
Have a Question?
Email us anytime
Or call — 204-945-1958