By Gina Tabonares
Variety News Staff

LAWYERS, legal researchers, students and others who would like to search the Internet about Guam codes and laws will now have the convenience of a search engine created by the island’s judiciary.
The Web site search engine is www.guamcourts.org/compileroflaws, and is hosted by the Compiler of Laws.
With its availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the best thing about the new Web site is that it’s free of charge to users.
The Web site can also be accessed through available links of several court and government agency Web sites like the Superior Court, Supreme Court, District Court, Guam Bar Association, Office of the Governor, Guam Legislature and the Attorney General’s Office.
“This is another step in our efforts to increase public access to the court system. We want island residents to know that they now have a Web site where they can conveniently and instantly acquire information on the laws, codes, rules and regulations that affect them,” Chief Justice F. Phillip Carbullido said.
The creation of the search engine was made possible by a law authored by former Sen. Robert Klitzkie, the creator of Bob’s Office, a Web site that became popular because of its vast information and always updated content.
Klitzkie’s Bill 388 was met with apprehension by private business who said that the Web site will kill their enterprises that provide search engine and sell legal documents online.
Access to legal Web sites is normally being offered by private companies that require a fee for access and downloading of legal documents.
Senators, however, passed the bill, recognizing the need to increase public access to the statutes, session laws, rules and regulations and court opinions for free.