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Exploring Bankruptcy on the Web Aug. 20, 2001 (SmartPros) Given the growth of the bankruptcy bar over the last 10 years or so and the impact that bankruptcy has on business today, one would expect a large number of quality Web sites dedicated to bankruptcy issues. The fact is, compared to other areas of law, the pickings of free sites dedicated to bankruptcy law are considerably slimmer. That is not to downgrade reliable search sites like Cornell's LII, it is just to say that specialty sites are a rarity. However, there are a few free sites that are excellent and some fee-based sites that are worth a look. This article explores some of the bankruptcy sites available online.
ABI World
www.abiworld.org/ Sponsored by the American Bankruptcy Institute, this site admirably serves the dual rolls of providing information about the Institute and providing legal information for practitioners. It is current -- clearly updated on a regular basis -- and navigation is easy and intuitive. Topic Coverage: Broad range of topics including the following, among others:
Linkage: Generally good, some broken foreign links
Awards:
This site's ability to seamlessly blend information for the public with member information proves it as one of the best specialty legal sites. Unlike many organizational sites, it is a gold mine of information for the bankruptcy practitioner and the average businessperson alike. In addition to the topics listed above, members can access other services, including the Personal Bankruptcy Discussion Board, Certified Bankruptcy Professionals Area, Business Bankruptcy Discussion Board, and Bankruptcy Products and Services.
The Bankruptcy Law Finder
www.agin.com/lawfind\default.html The Bankruptcy Law Finder is authored and maintained by Warren E. Agin, Esq. of Swiggart & Agin LLC. Generally speaking, attorney/law-firm sites are not all that awe-inspiring. This site is an exception -- it comprehensive, easy to use, and generally useful. Additionally, this site has one of the cleanest interfaces that this author has seen. Topic Coverage:
Linkage: Some out of date or broken links, but most are OK
Awards:
Mr. Agin's site can be summarized as easy to use, well-organized, and without extraneous clutter. It deserves its reaped awards and more -- really a great site. Bankruptcy professionals should bookmark this site to return to over and over again.
Internet Bankruptcy Law Library ("IBL") -- Worldwide Troubled Company Resources
This site is primarily dedicated to fee-based services available through the IBL and is authored by Peter A. Chapman of the Bankruptcy Creditors' Services, Inc. and Christopher Beard of the Beard Group, Inc.
Topic Coverage:
Awards:
This site is representative of the fee-based sites available for the bankruptcy practitioner. Like most such sites it provides some free information, generally outdated or otherwise limited. This site has the advantage of being uncluttered, organized, and upfront about what is and is not available for free. Don't come here looking for a lot of free stuff.
Bankruptcy Online
Bankruptcy Online is similar to the previous site. It provides both the Internet based Federal Filings Bankruptcy Wire, detailed coverage of distressed companies teetering on the edge of bankruptcy and companies already undergoing Chapter 11 reorganization, and The Daily Bankruptcy Review for a fee.
LII Legal Information Institute -- Bankruptcy: an overview
Cornell Law School's LLI is one of the definitive research sites for all areas of law. Not surprisingly, the bankruptcy research page is no exception. Cornell can say with pride that "search engines and ranking systems identify the LII as the most linked-to Web resource in the field of law. Sites ranging from Academic Info to Fedlaw to the Dow Jones Business Directory, as well as numerous off line references, e.g., Web Feet, the New York Times, and The National Jurist (4/2000), recommend starting with the LII for law." 1
Topic Coverage: A short narrative overview of the topic and links to:
The Legal Information Institute supports pages on approximately 112 topic areas, including most major areas of law and legal research. These pages are always a great reference site and the best place to start research on general code and case law.
The UK Bankruptcy & Insolvency Web site
This site, by Insolvency Solutions, LTD, is devoted to UK bankruptcy law. While it is designed to provide information to professionals and consumers in the UK who are seeking insolvency information, it is also a good place for the U.S. practitioner to find UK professionals and to get answers to possibly esoteric questions about the UK system. Topic Coverage:
Make no mistake, this site is clearly a commercial site for the benefit of its developer. However, it also serves as a useful place to get public information, court data, and find professionals who have signed up for the service. Not LII, but a good resource never the less.
Bankruptcydata.com
Listed as a division of New Generation Research, Inc, this site provides a combination of free- and fee-based services and reports. It bills itself as "The Bankruptcy Professional's Home Page."
Topic Coverage:
This site is a useful combination of free- and fee-based services, with enough free services to make the site worthwhile for the average practitioner interspaced with enticing fee-based reports and services. Bankruptcydata.com is definitely worth a look.
Notes
1 WebsMostLink.com Please send comments, questions and article proposals to information@smartpros.com.
First published Oct. 5, 2000
2001, Smartpros Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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