Proposal Abstract

Exchanging XML-data of legal documents marked up with the same datastructure (XML Schema) poses no significant problems. For data stemming from different structures an interface is needed, which "maps" one structure to the other in other to make these data comparable. The concept for this interface is the “RDF Dictionary”.

This project will demonstrate the advantages of the RDF Dictionary for exchange of legal data, and possible wider application in other domain areas on the Web. A prototype of one particular application of the RDF Dictionary will be built and tested; an open source web interface, which across European language and jurisdictional borders improves the retrieval of information from existing legal websites.

The prototype and the supportive measures of this project will establish a basis for a global net of RDF Dictionaries.

Proposal Summary

Objectives

The objectives of this project are the means to achieve the goal stated in the Proposal Abstract (A1.): to demonstrate the advantages of the RDF Dictionary for exchange of legal data. The first and main objective is to build and test a prototype of one particular application of the RDF Dictionary. The prototype, which will be accessible from any point in the internet, consists of a core RDF Dictionary and a browser-based demonstrator. It will persuade users that across language and jurisdictional borders retrieval of information from existing legal websites is improved by applying the archetype method and XML standards, in particular RDF. Users will be persuaded by obtaining easier access to the information contained in the website and increased interpretation possibilities of retrieved data, to let the user establish if the data contains information which is relevant to his search.

Further objectives include early involvement of stakeholders and dissemination, both aimed at the greatest possible acceptance of the RDF Dictionary method. The acceptance will serve as a basis for the development of a global network of RDF Dictionaries, each Dictionary covering particular (groups of) jurisdictions or subject-matter.

(Proposal Summary)

Description of the work (main point mentioned only, please refer to the Workpackages for a more detailed description)

a. Prototype development

Legal:

• Discover and describe approximately 50 legal archetypes which are to capture the aspects of approximately five common legal terms in the languages English, German, French and Dutch
• select at least two suitable websites (in two different jurisdictions with different national languages).
• matching the terms, as they appear in the context of the XML-schemas of these websites, to the appropriate archetypes and describe these relationships in RDF

Technical:

• the installation, configuration and searching of an RDF database
• the creation of code to search XML documents
• design of a user interface which allows users to select part of a document and return related information
• hosting of the web service and database

b. Prototype testing

• Write a test script
• Perform two test sessions (with a number of appropriate testpersons)
• Write a test report

c. Stakeholders:

• For each stakeholder area identify and contact suitable organisations and their contact persons.
• Confirm their involvement in the further development of the RDF Dictionary and agree their participation in terms of timescales, resources and inputs.

d. Evaluation and Report

• Produce a concluding report that reviews the work done in the project and draws conclusions from the results of the tests.

e. Disseminiation

• issue press releases to a variety of markets, including legal and technical
• give presentations in conferences.
• Convene a one day seminar to present the work and results of the project.
• write articles to be published in an appropriate professional media, legal and technical
• build and maintain a project website

(Proposal Summary)

Milestones

The prototype will be a clearly visible demonstration of the possibilities of using the semantic Web in the legal domain. The testing and its report will offer stakeholders and users also an objective perspective to appreciate the advantages offered by the RDF Dictionary concept. The early involvement of will accelerate the build-up of a network of RDF Dictionaries across the globe.