The O’Quinn Law Library at the University of Houston Law Center has launched a new Web site, Anglo-American Legal Tradition, that provides access to nearly half a million images of U.K. court documents covering roughly four centuries from 1272 to 1650.

The images are of documents on file with the National Archives of the United Kingdom. Previously, access to these documents was possible only by visiting the National Archives and viewing them first-hand. The images were acquired through the 15-year effort of Robert C. Palmer, Cullen professor of history and law at the University of Houston, to negotiate the license. The licensing agreement they reached in August 2006 permits the free, non-commercial, public display and use of the images.

In addition to the document images, the site includes Palmer’s overviews of English legal history. Eventually, it will include additional teaching materials and finding aids to enhance the site’s functionality.

Photo of Bob Ambrogi Bob Ambrogi

Bob is a lawyer, veteran legal journalist, and award-winning blogger and podcaster. In 2011, he was named to the inaugural Fastcase 50, honoring “the law’s smartest, most courageous innovators, techies, visionaries and leaders.” Earlier in his career, he was editor-in-chief of several legal publications, including The National Law Journal, and editorial director of ALM’s Litigation Services Division.