Legal Information Institute

Legal Information Institute (LII) is a non-profit, public service of Cornell Law School that provides access to legal information online. It was founded in 1992 by Peter Martin and Thomas R. Bruce with the goal of making legal information accessible to the public. The LII was the first legal website on the internet and has since played a significant role in promoting open access to legal information in the United States and around the world.

History

The Legal Information Institute was established at a time when the internet was in its infancy. The founders, recognizing the potential of the internet to democratize access to legal information, launched the LII to provide free access to United States Supreme Court decisions, U.S. Code, and other primary legal materials. Over the years, the LII has expanded its offerings to include a wide range of legal resources, including state laws, regulations, and international legal materials.

Mission and Impact

The mission of the Legal Information Institute is to promote access to and understanding of the law. It aims to serve a diverse audience, including legal professionals, students, and the general public, by providing accurate, reliable, and easily accessible legal information. The LII's impact is evident in its widespread use as a reference and research tool. It has been instrumental in supporting legal education, facilitating legal research, and empowering individuals to understand their legal rights and obligations.

Features and Resources

The LII offers a variety of legal resources, including:

• United States Supreme Court decisions
• U.S. Code
• Code of Federal Regulations
• State laws and regulations
• Wex, a collaboratively-edited legal dictionary and encyclopedia
• Annotated Constitution
• Legal news and commentary

These resources are complemented by tools and features designed to enhance the user's ability to find and understand legal information. These include search functionality, topic pages, and a glossary of legal terms.

Collaborations and Outreach

The Legal Information Institute collaborates with a range of partners, including other legal information providers, educational institutions, and public interest organizations, to expand access to legal information. It also engages in outreach activities to raise awareness about the importance of open access to legal information and to advocate for policies that support this goal.

Future Directions

As technology evolves, the Legal Information Institute continues to explore new ways to deliver legal information more effectively. This includes leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve search capabilities, developing mobile applications to increase accessibility, and expanding its content to cover more jurisdictions and legal topics.

Conclusion

The Legal Information Institute has played a pioneering role in making legal information freely accessible online. Through its comprehensive resources and commitment to open access, the LII has made a significant contribution to the public understanding of the law. As it looks to the future, the LII remains dedicated to innovating and expanding its services to meet the changing needs of its users.