Metadata scheme welcome but language fears voiced ; ;Proposals to introduce a metadata scheme a mechanism that enables the classification and location of Web sites for the legal profession, together with a supporting content classification scheme, have been cautiously welcomed by legal IT experts.

;The aim of the metadata scheme, proposed by the Lord Chancellors Department, is to promote common standards across legal Web sites, meaning that Internet search engine users would be able to locate the most relevant sites accurately.

The content classification scheme provides the vocabulary used to support the metadata scheme.

;The metadata scheme would contain a structured list of well-defined terms that are useful in searching for relevant information on-line.

Owners of the legal Web sites would add the appropriate descriptions to their pages, using a standard software language only accessible to search engine software.

;Nicholas Bohm, a sole practitioner and member of the Law Societys electronic commerce working party, said: The idea of establishing an effective and consistent classification scheme for legal sites is in principle a very good one.

;It would be nice to avoid the current situation where if you type a word in two or three search engines, they will often take you to totally different Web sites.

;However, Mr Bohm expressed doubts as to whether a metadata classification scheme could establish a consistency of language.

;Gerald Newman, deputy director of communications at the Law Society, said: There is a risk of firms using technical legal terms in the classification which will mean their approach is too prescriptive.

;The consultation closes on 12 January 2001.

;LINKS www.open.gov.uk/lcd ;Victoria MacCallum