Finding the Law in a Digital World
Social Innovation through Access to Legal Information
Welcome to SheriaLab- A Social, Innovative Platform bridging Legal Information Literacy and Access to Justice
“The life of the Law has not been logic. It has been experience.” Oliver Wendell Holmes
1. Law, in a Digital World.
In his book, ‘Law in a Digital World’, (1995) M. Ethan Katsh explores the interactions of law in a new technological and information dispensation.
He wonders what it will mean for Law, and as a tool to which we are all subject and protected by, to exist in a world where technological advancements infiltrate and permeate our day-to-day personal, business, social, and political lives.
These dynamic changes, he supposes, has caused a Displacement-not a Replacement- of our interactions with the Law in an ever-so-connected world, where the Law is influenced by new media and information just as much as it is used to regulate it.
He wonders:
“What becomes of Law when information becomes more Plentiful, more Accessible and more Malleable? What happens when there is broader access to information previously only exclusively accessible to a select few? What Happens when People, Institutions and Businesses access information they never had access to or never knew existed before? What happens when Information becomes located not in some Inert, “inanimate” Source but in an Interactive, “living” Source? What happens when Human Sources become accepted as the legitimate source of Authoritative information (including legal information) in lieu of some impressive-looking Book? What happens when the organization of Information is determined by the Reader just as much as it is by the Author?”
28 years later, these sentiments, expressed by M. Ethan Katsh still ring true, as we scramble to find the Law’s place in Society - and in view of emerging technologies.
On a daily basis, we interact with the law- consciously, sub-consciously, passively or actively, knowingly or unknowingly, advertently or inadvertently- and in all facets of modern life.
As we strive to influence positive personal, behavioral and social change, the tried-and-true potential of technology and information to cause Social and Economic transformation-ordinarily creates a need to center the Law in any discussions aspiring for Equity, Fairness, Access, Justice, Social Change and Transformation.
This also includes recognizing that Value Addition of Information- including Legal Information- is at the core of economic transformation, and social and political transformation, by critiquing power structures that shape the creation, organization and dissemination of legal information.
Legal Information Literacy and Access to Justice
When citizens, and particularly marginalized or underprivileged groups, are aware of their rights and the law, it easier is for them to recognize and challenge injustices, critique the law, and assert their rights.
That is why at Sheria Lab, we strongly believe that legal information literacy is core to any social transformation-Which begins with an informed Citizen. Who, then empowered, acts as agents and catalysts for social change, by cultivating informed ethical values at every level of interaction- including our families, the smallest unit of organization, and arguably where Child (and Adult) Development is most impacted, and through to our Communities, Business, and Societies including Educational Institutions, Religious Institutions and Political Parties.
It is this yearning for Social Transformation, Equity and Innovation that has inspired us to begin our service at Sheria Lab, to help nurture an empowered, transformed and informed Citizenry.
2. Community through the Pillars of Access, Justice, Equity, Fairness (and Technology and Information!)
In a world where there is an in·dub·it·able call to focus on Mental Health, Wellness, Work-life Balance, “Soft Life”, Tech Law, Community, Digital Entrepreneurship, Service, Digital Rights… Regulation...and in a world where there is an increased Call to Action to focus on Gender Equity, Social Justice, the Right to Work, Fair Pay, Consumer Fairness, Climate Justice…
What does this mean when these pressing issues are viewed through the frameworks of Equity, Fairness, Non-Discrimination, Access to Justice, Democracy and the Rule of Law in a Digital World?
Where the Work force and the Consumer… becomes, increasingly more Millennial, Gen Z , Gen X... more generational…Where Service, including government service has become increasingly Digital… Where TikTok, Twitter and YouTube (Shout out to Meta ) …are becoming more Popular, a means of communicating, disseminating, inventing, and storing (archival) of (legal) information, conducting (legal) research, networking, meeting, sharing stories, creating, curating and doing business, offering and consumption of services, public participation in government processes, teaching, tutoring and learning… and powered by the mighty bulwark that is Community…
…And as these technologies, and innovations, and social innovations-clamber to adhere to regulatory standards, checks and compliances… and as Regulatory authorities scramble to regulate these new forms of living, information and technologies (almost ironically), and their impact on social life…
What does this mean for the future of Law? (And What does this mean for Community?)
What this Newsletter Does
With this newsletter- A Penny for Your Laws- Sheria Lab aims Create a Community where we provide You with relevant legal information and solutions to your most-burning legal questions, and to explain different legal concepts in simple, digestible information that you can apply with ease to your Business and Personal life.
The Newsletter’s areas of focus will include (but are not limited to) Tech Law, Business Law, Consumer Law and Policy, Employment and Human Resource Law, Policies and Procedures, Human Rights Law and Law and Ethics-offering a Personalized experience to the Law-Straight to your Inbox!
Access to Legal Information for All Persons
Whether you are a Private Citizen, a Sole business Owner, a Company, an Education, Religious or other Institution, a Charity Organization, a Civil Society Organization, a student of the Law (or a student of Life), a Legal Practitioner, Public Servant, Governmental Official or Employee- you are sure to receive free, beneficial, adaptable and creative Legal Tips and Practical Information- as we endeavor to deliver- timely, consistent, thought-provoking, interesting, authentic and original perspectives to the Law - as it affects our daily, personal, business, social and political lives, in a Contemporary world- and to power our Ascension in and through the New Age.
We hope that you are inspired to join, support and Participate in Our Community as We seek to Cultivate and Advance the values of Access, Equity, Fairness, Justice, and Human Rights through the Use of technology and information.
Subscription to the Platform is Free. A New Post will be out every Friday and we may, from time to time, publish additional Posts to honor Globally (and/or Regional/Local) celebrated events or phenomena-curated to pique your intellect, curiosity and attention.
Subscribers will have unfettered Access to Free posts, Tips, Insights and legal Information through various media. There is no paid option yet, but, as we advance, Paid Subscribers will Receive: access to Exclusive Posts, Early notification on Sheria Lab Products and Merchandize including Online Courses, Legal E-Books and Documents, Free Legal Template Documents and so much more!
Having relevant, timely legal information at your fingertips will make it easy to advance our goals of Equity, Fairness, Access, (Literacy) and Justice, and could also prove enjoyable, helpful and stimulating for you, as you become inspired to appreciate The Laws’ possibilities, and possibly limitations.
We hope that you are inspired to join, support and Participate in Our Community as We seek to Cultivate and Advance the values of Access, Equity, Fairness, Justice, and Human Rights through the Use of technology and information.
Disclaimer- This is Not Legal Advice
While SheriaLab is dedicated to advancing legal information literacy, the Reader must be aware that any information contained in this Website and Newsletter is not legal advice. Further, any interactions between yourselves and SheriaLab does not in any way create or constitute an Advocate-Client or Attorney-Client Relationship.
Should you require legal advice and Representation, you must seek legal Advice and/or Representation from a licensed attorney or advocate practicing at your local and/or federal Jurisdiction.
Pro Tip: It is further always Advisable to meet them in person, or via online meeting platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams, to really familiarize with your attorney and to discuss any modalities of your Representation.
Really Pro Tip: Thereafter, a Written Agreement with your Attorney, that they have agreed to Act as your attorney, in respect of a particular matter (as discussed), in exchange for Xxx amount of Legal fees , would go a long way in ensuring that your needs as the Client are adequately met and that you receive diligent, adequate and competent legal Representation. But I digress…
This Platform is therefore specifically only dedicated to sharing and disseminating information and any interactions on this Site shall not serve to Create any Attorney-Client Relationship with ourselves. Should you however seek Legal Consultation from us, you can enquire to speak to one of our Legal Advisors at our linked Email Address (Should they be available to consult with you!)
Thank You very much for your Support. Should you seek to further support our work, you could choose to leave a donation to further support our Platform at our PayPal Donations Page.
Thanks for Reading!
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