An ontology to describe legislation, based on the FRBR model, that encodes the ELI metadata fields. See the classes "LegalResource", "LegalExpression" and "Format" as entry points. Interested readers can find more information about ELI on the ELI register at http://eurlex.europa.eu/eli and on the Office of Publications vocabularies website at https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/eli.
ELI Metadata Ontology
- The ELI ontology reuses the property names from the Metalex ontology (http://www.metalex.eu/) to express the FRBR skeleton hierarchy : is_realized_by/realizes, is_embodied_by/embodies, is_exemplified_by. This wording is also the one used in the original FRBR specifications. However, the decision has been made _not_ to align to the Metalex class names (BibliographicWork, BibliographicExpression, BibliographicManifestation), because ELI is specifically about publishing legal metadata on the web, and not structuring legal content in any document. - first_date_entry_in_force and date_no_longer_in_force could be aligned with dcterms:date - a class could be introduced for URI schemas to implement the URI schema registry - ELI does not use rdfs:subPropertyOf to relate its properties with DublinCore Terms, but instead a custom annotation properties "eli:isSpecificPropertyOf". ELI 1.1 chose to have 2 separate properties in certain situations to accomodate with cases where the value can be either a String or a reference to an identified object; this is the case for eli:publisher / eli:publisher_agent, or eli:rightsholder and eli:rightsholder_agent. This entails that this pair of properties cannot be both aligned with their respective DCTerms equivalent (dcterms:publisher and dcterms:rightsholder), since relating a property using rdfs:subPropertyOf necessary implies to declare the DCterms property as either a datatype property _or_ an objectProperty, but not both.
## 1.4 ### Semantic changes - Introduced generic eli:ComplexWork class - Introduced generic eli:WorkSubdivision class - introducted generic eli:work_type property on eli:Work (and made eli:type_document a subproperty of this) - introduced eli:is_derivative_of / eli:has_derivative on Work or Expression - introduced eli:has_annex / eli:is_annex_of on Work or Expression - broaden eli:date_document on eli:Work - broaden eli:is_about on eli:Work - broaden eli:changes / changed_by , eli:basis_for / based_on, eli:corrects / corrected_by, eli:amends / amended_by to eli:Work or eli:Expression ### Non-semantic changes - adjusted the subclassOf relationship of eli:Organization, eli:Agent, eli:Person, eli:Manifestation to proper FRBRoo classes ## 1.3 ### Semantic changes - Introduced High-Level FRBR classes Work, Expression and Manifestation, to be shared in ELI-DL; - Broaden the domain and range of structural FRBR properties to Work, Expression or Manifestation, so that they can be shared in ELI-DL : - eli:is_member_of/eli:has_member - eli:is_part_of/eli:has_part - eli:is_realized_in/eli:realizes - eli:is_embodied_by/eli:embodies - eli:exemplified_by - broaden the domain of eli:title, eli:title_short, eli:title_alternative, eli:language to:eli:Expression so that they can be shared in ELI-DL; - introduced eli:type_subdivision to express the type of a LegalResourceSubdivision - introduced eli:countersigned_by to capture countersignatures of legislation - introduced eli:ensures_implementation_of / eli:implementation_ensured_by to capture the fact that some legislation are modified to remain "compatible" with other EU-level or national-level regulations; this implies a legal meaning; ### Non-semantic changes - fixed the definition of the modified properties to match their new domain/range - updated the links to MDR to the EU vocabularies website - made eli:Manifestation a subclass of frbroo:F3_Manifestation to follow new LRM conceptual model; ## 1.2 ### Semantic changes - Modification of eli:format and introduction of eli:media_type : - Modified the semantic of eli:format so that it now corresponds to a business / application format, and not a technical format (the technical format will be captured in eli:media_type). This is intended to distinguish e.g. authentic PDF from scanned PDF from generated-on-the-fly PDF; or e.g. XML in a standard (AkomaNtoso) format vs. XML in a proprietary format. - It is now possible to use the custom URIs "application/pdf;type=signed", "application/pdf;type=generated", "application/pdf;type=archival", "application/pdf;type=scanned" as values of eli:format to indicate respectively electronically signed PDFs, generated-on-the-fly PDFs, PDF for archival, or scanned PDFs; - It is now possible to use the custom URI "eli:print_format" as a value of eli:format to indicate a printed/paper version of the legislation; - It is now possible to use the URI "application/akn+xml" as a value of eli:format to indicate an AkomaNtoso format; - Added a new property "eli:media_type" to capture the technical file format of the file; this is intended to serve as a basis for content negociation; IANA identifiers MUST be used in eli:media_type; - Existing ELI implementations using eli:format with IANA URIs remain valid; the eli:format property remains mandatory. ELI providers are however encouraged to add the "eli:media_type" property to their ELI metadata; in some situations the value of both properties might be the same ("eli:format = application/xml" and "eli:media_type = application/xml"). It is expected that in the future the "eli:media_type" property will become mandatory. - Added a couple of optional properties "has_translation" / "is_translation_of" to indicate that a LegalExpression is translated from another one; - Added the property "cited_by_case_law" and the corresponding literal property "cited_by_case_law_reference" : - Cited_by_case_law : Indicates that this LegalResource or LegalExpression is being cited in a case law, identified by a suitable URI. If the case law cannot be identified by a suitable URI, the property "eli:cited_by_case_law_reference" can be used with a textual reference to the case law. The actual citation link is expressed from the case law to the legislation, but legal portals may use the link from a legislation to a case law to e.g. refer to representative case laws about a legislation. - Cited_by_case_law_reference : Indicates that this LegalResource or LegalExpression is being cited in a case law that cannot be identified by a suitable URI and that is indicated by textual reference. An ECLI (European Case Law Identifier) can be used here. When the case law can be identified by a suitable URI, the property eli:cited_by_case_law should be used instead. ### Non-semantic changes - Referred to FRBRoo URIs instead of RDA URIs to extend the LegalResource, LegalExpression and Format classes, along with the FRBR backbone properties. This properly connects ELI with FRBRoo; - Added equivalence declarations between ELI and the schema.org legal extension; this is provided as a separate Excel and Turtle file; - Removed xsd:string range declaration on eli:description, title, title_short, title_alternative, rightsholder, rights, publisher, published_in so that can be declared with either a datatype or a language tag; - Fixed documentation of some properties; - Added link to Eur-Lex website in ontology documentation; ## 1.1 - added the following properties : - is_member_of / has_member - number - jurisdiction - date_applicability - applies / applied_by - commences / commenced_by - repeals / repealed_by - corrects / corrected_by - amends / amended_by - is_another_publication_of / has_another_publication - additionnal properties were also added to accomodate with situations where a property value can be either a literal or a URI : - responsibility_of_agent vs. responsibility_of - published_in_format vs. published_in - publisher_agent vs. publisher - rightsholder_agent vs. rightsholder - the relations with DublinCore properties is now declared with a custom annotation property "eli:isSpecificPropertyOf" instead of rdfs:subPropertyOf to be able to relate both eli:publisher/eli:publisher_agent to dcterms:publisher, and eli:rightsholder/eli:rightsholder_agent to dcterms:rightsholder. - added the class LegalResourceSubdivision - the propery implements / implemented_by was deprecated in favor of applies / applied_by - numerous definitions were improved and clarified - all ontology items are documented with : - their version of creation; - their version of latest modification; - an history note documenting the changes on the item; V1.1 is backward compatible with v1.0, with 1 following exception : - starting from v1.1, is_member_of / has_member should be used instead of is_part_of / has_part for conceptual inclusions; Additionnally, ELI implementers are strongly encouraged to use applies / applied_by instead of implements / implemented_by; note however that implements/implemented_by currently remain in the ontology so publishers can take the time to transition smoothly. ## 1.0 - added a set of values for the InForce table - added definitions to tables - minor fixes in definitions - added rdfs:seeAlso from properties to corresponding tables - cleaned the "whyThisIsNeeded" annotation ## 0.6.1 - fixed typos in definitions ## 0.6 - imported skos rather than redeclaring skos classes and properties - changed domain of in_force, first_date_entry_into_force, date_no_longer_in_force to [LegalResource or LegalExpression] instead of LegalResource - changed domain of language, title, title_short, title_alternative to LegalExpression instead of [LegalResource or LegalExpression] - reworked the tables : don't use country and resource type tables from MDR, but declare local tables. - integrated new definitions for all classes and properties ## 0.5 - Renamed "Interpretation" into "LegalExpression" (and modified comments accordingly) - Renamed the structural FRBR relations in accordance with Metalex ontology : - is_legal_resource_of becomes "is_realized_by" - has_legalresource becomes "realizes" - is_interpretation_of becomes "is_embodied_by" - has_interpretation becomes "embodies" - file becomes "is_exemplified_by" - file has been made a subproperty of "has exemplar of manifestation" instead of "dc:hasPart" - relevant_for is no more considered mandatory. Deleted comment that stated "we are seeking a way to express that relevant_for must have at least one value for LegalResource or one of its LegalInterpretation". ## 0.4.1 - Added "publishes" property - Enriched the note on "transposes" and "transposed by" to indicate they must point to / be expressed on LegalResource
Indicates that a property is, in a generic sense, a more specific property of another one. This does not entail the same logical reasoning as rdfs:subPropertyOf. This is used to indicate the alignement to Dublin Core properties, without redeclaring the Dublin Core property in Protégé, and without commiting to choose that a DubinCore property is either a datatype or an object property.
specific property of
Inverse of "amends". Indicates a work that introduced legal changes in this resource. For modifications that don’t have a legal impact, use eli:corrected_by.
amended by
created in v1.1
modified in v1.4
v1.4 : broaden to Work or Expression
Indicates that this work introduces legal changes in another resource. For modifications that don’t have a legal impact, use eli:corrects.
amends
modfiied in v1.4
Inverse of "applies". Note that this property is expressed on a legal resource, not on one of its language-specific legal expression.
applied by
Indicates that this legislation (or part of a legislation) somehow conforms with another legislation. This is an informative link, and it has no legal value. For legally-binding links of transposition, use the property transposes. This can be used for example : - when a pre-existing law already conforms to a recent european directive (in that case it does not "transposes" it strictly speaking); - when non-EU member states make sure their legislation is conformant with EU law without strictly speaking transposing it; - when a legislation from a local authority conforms with a national legislation; Note that this should point to a LegalResource, not to a language-specific expression.
applies
Inverse of "basis_for". Indicates that thiswork is empowered by another one, typically a constitution, a treaty or an enabling act.
based on
v1.4 : broaden to Work or Expression v1.1 : improved definition
Indicates that this work or expression empowers another . Typically primary legislation is the basis for secondary legislation.
basis for
Inverse of « changes ». Indicates that this work or expression is being legally changed by another. This encompasses the notions of amendment, replacement, repeal, or other types of change.
changed by
Indicates that this work or expression legally changes another. This encompasses the notions of amendment, replacement, repeal, or other types of change. This may be a direct change (textual or non-textual amendment) or a consequential or indirect change. Note, the property is to be used to express the existence of a change relationship between two acts rather than the existence of a consolidated version of the text that shows the result of the change. For consolidation relationships, use the "consolidates" and "consolidated_by" properties.
changes
Inverse of "cites". Note that the intended meaning of this link is to indicate that "something is cited by a legislation" and not that "this legislation is cited by something".
cited by
v1.2 : improved definition
Indicates that this LegalResource or LegalExpression is being cited in a case law, identified by a suitable URI. If the case law cannot be identified by a suitable URI, the property "eli:cited_by_case_law_reference" can be used with a textual reference to the case law. The actual citation link is expressed from the case law to the legislation, but legal portals may use the link from a legislation to a case law to e.g. refer to representative case laws about a legislation.
cited by case law
created in v1.2
Citation in the text of the legislation. This may be at the legal resource or legal expression level, as required by the implementation context. This includes verbatim citation and citations in referrals.
cites
Inverse of "commences". Indicates that this legal resource was set in force by another legal resource. Situations where a resource enters into force because of more than one resource are explicitely allowed.
commenced by
Indicates that this legal resource sets another legal resource into force. Note the the date of entry into force of the other resource should be modified accordingly. Note also that it is not possible to indicate when the entry into force should happen.
commences
Inverse of "consolidates". Indicates that this legal resource or expression is taken into account in a consolidated text (which is usually the product of an editorial process that revises the legislation).
consolidated by
modified in v1.1
v1.1 : improved definition
Indicates that this consolidated legal resource or expression (which is usually the product of an editorial process that revises the legislation) takes into account another one. This property should be used multiple times to refer to both the original version or the previous consolidated version, and to the legislations making the change.
consolidates
Inverse of "corrects". Indicates a resource that introduces textual modifications (like correction of spelling mistakes) with no legal change in this work, expression or manifestation; typically corrigenda in EU legislation. For modifications that have a legal impact, use eli:amended_by.
corrected by
Indicates that this work introduces textual modifications (like correction of spelling mistakes) with no legal change in another resource, expression or manifestation; typically corrigenda in EU legislation. For modifications that have a legal impact, use eli:amends.
corrects
A person or organization that countersigned the legislation. Depending on the legal context, a countersignature can indicate that the signed authority undertakes to assume responsibility for texts emanating from a person who is inviolable and irresponsible, (for example a King, Grand Duc or President), or that the authority is in charge of the implementation of the text.
countersigned by
Relates a manifestation to the expression that it embodies. Inverse of "is_embodied_by".
embodies
v1.2 : replaced reference of RDA with FRBRoo.
v1.3 : broaden the domain to Manifestation instead of Format and the range to Expression instead of LegalExpression. In v1.1, this was declared functional (the constraint was missing in 1.0)
Indicates that this LegalResource ensures the implementation of another LegalResource. This implies a legal meaning (contrary to eli:applies). This can cover links from national legislation to EU legislation, or links from regional to national legislation. It can also cover links from EU implementing acts to EU legislative acts. In the case of implementation of EU legislation at national level, this covers links to EU regulations, decisions, etc. However the transpositions of EU Directives must be captured with eli:transposes. Links between national primary and secondary legislation must be captured by eli:based_on / eli:basis_for.
ensures implementation of
The format of the manifestation, expressed as a custom URI. This field is intended to capture the format of the resource from an application or user perspective, as opposed to the "media_type" property that expresses its format from a technical point of view. This property allows to describe different XML schemas (Akoma N'toso vs. proprietary), describe different types of PDFs (scanned PDF, generated-on-the-fly PDF, signed PDF, archival PDF) or describe the paper (printed) version of the legislation. ELI includes a set of possible values for the most common use-cases and possible URIs values CAN also be taken from http://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types , or can de defined by the Member States.
format
v1.3 : broaden the domain to Manifestation instead of Format. v1.2 : this field should now not be used as basis of content negociation. Modified the description to introduce eli:media_type and declared a local ConceptScheme FormatType with values.
Indicates an annex to this this work or expression .
has annex
created in v1.4
Inverse of "is_another_publication_of".
has another publication
Inverse of is_derivative_of
has derivative
Indicates that this work conceptually includes another one. For the notion of physical inclusion, use eli:has_part.
has member
v1.3 : broaden the domain and range to Work instead of LegalResource v1.2 : replaced reference of RDA with FRBRoo.
inverse of "is_part_of"
has part
v1.3 : broaden the domain and range to Work instead of LegalResource
Inverse of "is_translation_of". Indicates that this expression has been translated into another derived expression. See the definition of "is_translation_of".
has translation
Indicates that the implementation of this LegalResource is ensured by another LegalResource. This implies a legal meaning (contrary to eli:applies). See the definition of eli:ensures_implementation_of.
implementation ensured by
This property is deprecated. Use "applied_by" instead.
implemented by
v1.1 : this property was deprecated in favor of the more generic term "applied_by" to avoid confusion
This property is deprecated. Use "applies" instead.
implements
v1.1 : this property was deprecated in favor of the more generic term "applies" to avoid confusion.
status
A value indicating the legal force of a legal resource or a legal expression. A set of values is defined by ELI in the corresponding concept scheme. These values are : - in force - partially in force - not in force
in force
A subject for this work. The use of Eurovoc (http://eurovoc.europa.eu) is encouraged to select values for this property. Member states are encouraged to align local values to Eurovoc.
is about
v1.4 : broaden domain to Work
Indicates this work or expression is an annex of another one.
is annex of
Indicates that this resource is a new publication, in a different official journal, of another resource already published elsewhere, and cannot be considered to be the same resource (owl:sameAs cannot be used to avoid potential duplication of certain metadata, like the date of publication, or the publisher). Note that this is different from the exceptionnal cases of "republication", where the same resource is actually republished in the same official journal a few days after its initial publication, in case of errors.
is another publication of
A Work or Expression from which this one derives
is derivative of
Relates an expression to a manifestation of that expression. Inverse of "embodies".
is embodied by
v1.3 : broaden the domain to Expression instead of LegalExpression and the range to Manifestation instead of Format. v1.2 : replaced reference of RDA with FRBRoo.
Link to a concrete file URL. Relates a manifestation to a single exemplar or instance of that manifestation.
is exemplified by
v1.3 : broaden the domain to Manifestation instead of Format. v1.2 : replaced reference of RDA with FRBRoo.
Indicates that this work is conceptually included in another one. In the case of a legislation, its successive temporal versions are conceptually members of a single « abstract » resource. For the notion of physical inclusion, use eli:is_part_of.
is member of
composed
Indicates a work in which this one is physically included. Covers the case of text included in an Official Journal, or an article included in a text. For the notion of conceptual/temporal inclusion, use eli:is_member_of.
is part of
v1.3 : broaden the domain and range to Work instead of LegalResource Starting with v1.1, the notion of conceptual inclusion is expressed with eli:is_member_of instead of eli:is_part_of.
Relates a work to an expression of this work in the form of a "sequence of signs" (typically alpha-numeric characters in a legal context). Inverse of "realizes".
is realized by
v1.3 : broaden the domain to Work instead of LegalResource and range to Expression instead of LegalExpression. v1.2 : replaced reference of RDA with FRBRoo.
Indicates that this expression has been translated from another original expression; this can be used to distinguish original from derived expressions. Note that asserting this link does not have any implication on the legal value of the original and translated expressions : depending on the context, a translation can be as legally binding as the original version, or can be published for informative purposes only (e.g. a country translating some legal acts in English). The expressions linked with this property can be realisations of the same LegalResource, or different LegalResources. Multilingual legislations that do not need to distinguish between original and derived expressions of the same LegalResource (e.g. european legislation) will not use this property.
is translation of
The jurisdiction from which the legal resource originates. The place identifier can be taken from the Administrative Territorial Unit table published of the EU Publications Office at https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/at-dataset/-/resource/dataset/atu. Member States don't have to recreate their own list of values.
jurisdiction
v1.3 : Updated link to EU vocabularies website in the definition.
The language of an expression. EU Publications Office provides a list of languages at https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/at-dataset/-/resource/dataset/language. This list is large enough so that member states should not have to declare local values. Note that, if needed, a language can also be stated on a legal resource using the DublinCore "language" property.
language
v1.3 : broaden the domain to Expression instead of LegalExpression and updated link to EU vocabularies website
The legal value associated with a specific format of a resource. A set of values is defined by ELI in the corresponding concept scheme. These values are : - unofficial : no particular or special standing; - official : published by an organisation with the public task of making the information available (e.g. a consolidated version of a EU directive) ; - authoritative : the publisher gives some special status to the publication (e.g. "the Queens Printer" version of an Act of Parliament, or the OJ version of a EU Directive); - definitive : the text is conclusively what the law says, (e.g. the digitally signed version of an OJ).
legal value
A legal document giving official permission to do something with the resource (Definition from Dublin Core)
licence
The file format of the manifestation. This field is intended to capture the technical file format and will serve as a basis for content negotiation for the server to return the appropriate file based on the client preference. Although not mandatory, this property is highly encouraged. Possible URIs values MUST be taken from http://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types (e.g. http://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/application/xml). See also the "format" property.
media type
v1.3 : broaden the domain to Manifestation instead of Format
agent_document
The person or organization that originally passed or made the law : typically parliament (for primary legislation) or government (for secondary legislation). This indicates the "legal author" of the law, as opposed to its physical author. This property can be used multiple times to indicate both the agent that authored the text, and/or the agent that signed the text, thus turning it into an actual legislation. The relationship between current and any former law making body should be represented in the description of the agent itself. Member states are encouraged to make their own list of Agents. EU Publications Office provides a list of corporate bodies at https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/at-dataset/-/resource/dataset/corporate-body.
passed by
v1.3 : Updated link to EU vocabularies website in the definition. In v1.1, the semantic of this property was broaden to encompass organisations/persons that « drafted the text » and « signed it ».
Reference to the Official Journal or other publication manifestation in which this format is published. This property should be used when the value can be identified by a suitable URI; in the absence of such a URI, the property "published_in" should be used with a string value.
published in format
An entity responsible for making the resource available (definition from Dublin Core). This property should be used when the value can be identified by a suitable URI; in the absence of such a URI, the property "publisher" should be used with a string value.
publisher agent
Inverse of "published_in_format". Note this property does not link a publisher with a resource, but rather a specific Format of a resource with a specific Format of another resource, indicating that the subject Format publishes the object Format.
publishes
Relates an expression to a work realised through that expression. Inverse of "is_realized_by".
realizes
v1.3 : broaden the domain to Expression instead of LegalExpression and the range to Work instead of LegalResource v1.2 : replaced reference of RDA with FRBRoo.
Indicates a somehow related other document, not necessarily a legal resource. Note that citation links should use the cites property.
related to
Refers to a place or an area associated with the resource. This covers the notions of jurisdiction, sovereignty, applicability or administrative area. The place identifier can be taken from the Administrative Territorial Unit table published of the EU Publications Office at https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/at-dataset/-/resource/dataset/atu. Member States don't have to recreate their own list of values. The group notes the limitations of what can be said with a single property; member states can refine this notion by declaring specific sub properties.
relevant for
v1.3 : Updated link to EU vocabularies website in the definition. Starting from v1.1, the values for this property can be taken from the named authority list published by the Office of Publications instead of defining new values.
Inverse of "repeals". Indicates that this legal resource or legal expression is being completely canceled, abrogated or replaced by another legal resource. If a resource is partially repealed by another, this link can be used at the corresponding subdivision level being completely repealed.
repealed by
Indicates that this legal resource or legal expression completely cancels, abrogates or replaces another. If a resource partially repeals another, this link can be used at the corresponding subdivision level being completely repealed.
repeals
An individual, organisation or organisational unit that has some kind of responsibility for the legislation. Typically the ministry who is/was in charge of elaborating the legislation, or the adressee for potential questions about the legislation once it is published. This property should be used when the value can be identified by a suitable URI; in the absence of such a URI, the property "responsibility_of" should be used with a string value.
responsibility of agent
A person or organisation owning or managing rights over the resource (definition from Dublin Core). This property should be used when the value can be identified by a suitable URI; in the absence of such a URI, the property "rightsholder" should be used with a string value.
rightsholder agent
Inverse of "transposes". Note that this property is expressed on a legal resource, not on one of its language-specific legal expression.
transposed by
v1.1 : this property was made a subproperty of "applied_by"
Indicates that this legislation (or part of legislation) fulfills the objectives set by another legislation, by passing appropriate implementation measures. Typically, some legislations of European Union's member states or regions transpose European Directives. This indicates a legally binding link between the 2 legislations, at act or article level, from the original version of a national implementing measure to the legal resource Directive as published in the EU Official Journal. Can be used for transposition tables, once EU Publication Office has introduced ELI support down to the article level. The implementation of EU legislation at national level, involving links to EU regulations, decisions, etc. must be captured with eli:ensures_implementation_of. Note that this should point to the legal resource of the Directive itself, not to one of its language-specific legal expression.
transposes
v1.1 : this property was made a subproperty of "applies", and the definition was improved.
The type of a legal resource (e.g. "Directive", "Règlement grand ducal", "law", "règlement ministériel", "draft proposition", "Parliamentary act", etc.). Member states are encouraged to make their own list of values in the corresponding concept scheme. EU Publications Office provides a list of values for EU resource types at https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/at-dataset/-/resource/dataset/resource-type
type of document
v1.4 : Moved under work_type v1.3 : Updated link to EU vocabularies website in the definition.
The type of a document subdivision (e.g. "Article", "Paragraph", "Section", etc.). A subdivision can have only one type. ELI does not specify a list of possible values. Member states are encouraged to make their own list of values in the corresponding concept scheme. EU Publication Office provies a list of values for EU resource types at https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/at-dataset/-/resource/dataset/subdivision
type of subdivision
v1.4 : Broaden range to WorkSubdivision
Schema describing the URI of an ELI instance. ELI uses URI template specifications (IETF RFC 6570). Schemes should be associated with member states and will be published in a registry.
uri schema
A skos concept scheme, could be locally defined? Group proposal is to start with an initial ELI scheme, that might include concepts of "Official Journal" "made" "consolidated" "proposed" "prospective"
version
The type of a work, taken from a controlled vocabulary. Member States need to define their own work type values.
work type
Indicates that this LegalResource or LegalExpression is being cited in a case law that cannot be identified by a suitable URI and that is indicated by textual reference. An ECLI (European Case Law Identifier) can be used here. When the case law can be identified by a suitable URI, the property eli:cited_by_case_law should be used instead.
cited by case law reference
The date at which the legislation becomes applicable. This is distinct from the date of entry into force : a text may come in force today, and state it will become applicable in 3 months. The group notes that applicability dates can lead to complex situations, e.g. a text with different applicability dates for different jurisdictions; specific extensions to the model should be used for such situations.
date of applicability
Date of adoption or signature (of the form yyyy-mm-dd)
date of the document
The last date any part of the legislation is in force, if the date is known (can be seen as the end date of a dc:valid range for this resource).
date no longer in force
v1.1 : improved definition so it symmetric to date_entry_into_force.
Date of publication of the official version of the legislation, in hard copy or online, depending on what the official publication is, and when it was published. Publication dates at the level of legal expressions can be separately asserted, using standard Dublin Core properties.
date of publication
In v1.1, the domain was broaden to add LegalExpression.
An account of the resource (definition from Dubin Core), e.g a summary.
description
The first date any part of the legal resource or legal expression came into force (can be seen as the start date of a dc:valid range for this resource)
first date of entry into force
The unique identifier used in a local reference system to maintain backwards compatibility. For examples the CELEX at EU level, or the NOR in France.
local id
An identifier or other disambiguating feature for a legal resource or legal expression. This can be the number of a legislation, the number of an article, or the issue number of an official journal.
number
Reference to the Official Journal or other publication manifestation in which this format is published. This property should be used when the value cannot be identified by a suitable URI; if a URI is available, the property "published_in_format" should be used.
published in
v1.1 : modified the range to xsd:string, and introduced the corresponding object property published_in_format.
v1.2 : changed range from xsd:string to rdfs:Literal
An entity responsible for making the resource available (definition from Dublin Core). This property should be used when the value cannot be identified by a suitable URI; if a URI is available, the property "publisher_agent" should be used.
publisher
v1.1 : modified the range to xsd:string and introduced the corresponding object property publisher_agent.
service
An individual, organisation or organisational unit that has some kind of responsibility for the legislation. Typically the ministry who is/was in charge of elaborating the legislation, or the adressee for potential questions about the legislation once it is published. This property should be used when the value cannot be identified by a suitable URI; if a URI is available, the property "responsibility_of_agent" should be used.
responsibility of
v1.1 : the definition was made more precise, with examples. Introduced the corresponding object property responsibility_of_agent.
Information about rights held in and over the resource (definition from Dublin Core). For example, that property can be used to provide a link to a page that describes the licensing terms.
rights
v1.1 : improved definition and changed the range to xsd:string
v1.2 : modified the range to rdfs:Literal
A person or organisation owning or managing rights over the resource (definition from Dublin Core). This property should be used when the value cannot be identified by a suitable URI; if a URI is available, the property "rightsholder_agent" should be used.
rights holder
v1.1 : modified the range to xsd:string, and introduced the corresponding object property rightsholder_agent.
The title, or name, of an expression. Note that, if needed, a title can also be stated on a legal resource using the Dublin Core "title" property.
title
v1.3 : broaden the domain to Expression instead of LegalExpression v1.2 : changed range from xsd:string to rdfs:Literal
An alternative title of the expression (if any). Note that, if needed, an alternative title can also be stated on a work using the Dublin Core "alternative" property.
alternative title
Established short title of the expression (if any)
short title
The point-in-time at which the provided description of the legislation is valid.
version date
Formally defined as the set of skos:Concept either in concept scheme eli:AdministrativeAreaTable or in concept scheme https://op.europa.eu/en/web/eu-vocabularies/at-dataset/-/resource/dataset/atu (Administrative Territorial Unit table published of the EU Publications Office).
Administrative Area
modified in v1.3
v1.3 : Updated the link to EU vocabularies website in the definition. Starting from v1.1, the values for administrative areas can be taken from the Administrative Territorial Unit table published of the EU Publications Office.
Individual people or groups of people, like an institution with a legal recognition, who have the potential to perform intentional actions for which they can be held responsible.
Agent
V1.4 : subClassOf E39_ACtor instead of equivalent. V1.3 : added a definition.
Works that have other works as members. The members of a Complex Work may constitute alternatives to or derivatives of other members of the same Complex Work. Typically the members of the complex work represent the successive temporal versions of an act, while the complex work represents the act independantly of one of its version.
The intellectual realisation of a Work in the form of identifiable immaterial objects, such as, but not limited to, text. The substance of Expression is signs. An Expression cannot exist without a physical carrier but do not depend on a specific physical carrier and can exist on one or more carriers simultaneously.
Expression
The physical embodiment of a legal expression, either on paper or in any electronic format. For example, any electronic or physical format of the legal expression (XML, TIFF, PDF, etc.) ; e.g. PDF version of act 3 of 2005. (adapted from Akoma Ntoso). Note that the notion of Format in ELI is more precise than a FRBR Manifestation in the sense that a Format in ELI can carry a legal value (see the property eli:legal_value).
Format
v1.3 : declared as a sublcass of eli:Manifestation v1.2 : replaced reference of RDA with FRBRoo (for more information on FRBRoo, see https://www.ifla.org/node/10171) .
Formally defined as the set of skos:Concept in concept scheme eli:MediaTypeTable.
Format type
Formally defined as the set of skos:Concept in concept scheme eli:InForceTable
In force
Formally defined as the set of skos:Concept in concept scheme http://publications.europa.eu/resource/authority/language
Language
v1.2 : fixed URI in definition
The intellectual realisation of a legal resource in the form of a "sequence of signs" (typically alpha-numeric characters in a legal context). For example, any version of the legal resource whose content is specified and different from others for any reason: language, versions, etc.; Note that ELI ontology accommodates different point of view on what should be considered a new legal resource, or a new legal expression of the same resource. Typically, a consolidated version can be viewed, in the context of ELI, either as separate legal resource (linked to original version and previous consolidated version using corresponding ELI relations), or as a different legal expression of the same legal resource.
Legal Expression
v1.3 : declared as a subclass of eli:Expression v1.2 : replaced reference of RDA with FRBRoo (for more information on FRBRoo, see https://www.ifla.org/node/10171) .
A work in a legislative corpus. This applies to acts that have been legally enacted (whether or not they are still in force). For example, the abstract concept of the legal resource; e.g. "act 3 of 2005" (adapted from Akoma Ntoso) A legal resource can represent a legal act or any component of a legal act, like an article. Legal resources can be linked together using properties defined in the model. Note that ELI ontology accommodates different point of view on what should be considered a new legal resource, or a new legal expression of the same resource. Typically, a consolidated version can be viewed, in the context of ELI, either as separate legal resource (linked to original version and previous consolidated version using corresponding ELI relations), or as a different legal expression of the same legal resource.
Legal Resource
v1.3 : declared as a subclass of eli:Work v1.2 : replaced reference of RDA with FRBRoo (for more information on FRBRoo, see https://www.ifla.org/node/10171) .
A component of a legal act, at an arbitrary level of precision, like a chapter, an article, an alinea, a paragraph or an list item. A subdivision can be linked with its parent and children subdivision using the properties eli:has_part / eli:is_part_of.
Legal Resource Subdivision
v1.4 : added WorkSubdivision as a superclass
Formally defined as the set of skos:Concept in concept scheme eli:LegalValueTable
Legal value
The physical embodiment of an Expression, either on paper or in any electronic format. The substance of Manifestation is not only signs, but also the manner in which they are presented to be consumed by users, including the kind of media adopted.
Manifestation
Institutions or groups of people that have obtained a legal recognition as a group and can act collectively as agents.
Organization
v1.4 : set as subclass of F11_Corporate_Body
A real person who live or has lived.
Person
Formally defined as the set of skos:Concept in concept scheme eli:ResourceTypeTable
Resource type
Formally defined as the set of skos:Concept in concept scheme eli:SubdivisionTypeTable
Subdivision type
Formally defined as the set of skos:Concept in concept scheme eli:VersionTable
Version
Any distinct intellectual creation (i.e., the intellectual content), in the context of ELI. The substance of Work is ideas.
Work
A component of a work, at an arbitrary level of precision. A subdivision can be linked with its parent and children subdivision using eli:has_part / eli:is_part_of.
Work Subdivision
Formally defined as the set of skos:Concept in concept scheme eli:WorkTypeTable
Work Type
Administrative area table
A set of values for administrative areas. ELI does not include a set of values for this table.
A set of types for a Format. ELI includes a list of values for this table. This should contain user-oriented types to dinstinguish e.g. authentic PDF from scanned PDF from generated-on-the-fly PDF; or e.g. XML in a standard (AkomaNtoso) format vs. XML in a proprietary format.
Format type table
created in v1.0
Indicates that a legal resource is in force.
Indicates that a legal resource is currently not in force.
not in force
Indicates that parts of the legal resource are in force, and parts are not.
partially in force
In force table
A set of values for the legal force of a resource. ELI includes a set of values for this table.
The publisher gives some special status to the publication of the document. ("The Queens Printer" version of a UK Act of Parliament). This status is specific to UK where no text can be considered « definitive ».
"The Queens Printer" version of a UK Act of Parliament, or the Official Journal version of a EU Directive published by EU Publications Office.
authoritative
Document for which the text is conclusively what the law says. (The digitally signed version of an Official Journal.)
The digitally signed version of an Official Journal.
definitive
Document is published by an organisation with the public task of making the information available (A consolidated version of a EU directive published by EU Publications Office.)
A consolidated version of a EU directive published by EU Publications Office.
official
Document has no particular or special standing.
unofficial
Legal value table
A set of values for the legal value of a resource. ELI ontology includes a set of values for this table.
Resource type table
A set of types for a legal resource. ELI does not include a set of values for this table.
A set of types for a legal resource subdivision. ELI does not include a set of values for this table.
Subdivision type table
Version table
A set of values for the version of a legal resource. ELI does not include a set of values for this table.
Work Type Table
A set of values for the type of a work. ELI does not include a set of values for this table.
print
ELI introduces this value to describe printed/paper versions of the legislation
A set of values for languages. ELI does not include a set of values for this table.
ELI introduces this value to describe PDF files that are intended for long-term archival.
ELI introduces this value to describe PDF files that are generated on-the-fly from base XML formats.
ELI introduces this value to describe PDF files that are scanned copies of a paper version.
ELI introduces this value to describe PDF files that are signed electronically.