Simmons, Jannace & Stagg

The GLIN database (www.glin.gov) Simmons, Jannace contains legal materials of individual jurisdictions, specifically statutes, judicial decisions, legal literature and legislative records. Its goal is to create a digital repository of all jurisdictional laws and related materials, including those of regional and major international organizations. While numerous national and regional legal databases that serve primarily local uses have been developed by other organizations, GLIN, on the other hand, is designed to enable international access and comparative legal research based on a common search method. Such a database has the potential of becoming a powerful research instrument and one that could influence legal systems worldwide.

GLIN was originally developed as a tool to support the research and reference needs of the United States Congress. However, it was decided that the database would be equally useful for legislators and legal researchers around the world and therefore was opened up for global membership. In 2001, the GLIN Foundation was established to support the needs and further the goals of the Network, whose data can now be accessed free of charge by anyone via the Internet. However, a GLIN member still has the option to allow access to other members only; but, in keeping with the principle that Governments should provide free and open access to their laws, full access to everyone is encouraged.