Data Structure and Management

Database Structure

The database is organized into multiple related tables that store different types of legal information:

Main Data Tables

  1. Answers
  2. HCCH Answers
  3. Domestic Instruments
  4. Domestic Legal Provisions
  5. Regional Instruments
  6. Regional Legal Provisions
  7. International Instruments
  8. International Legal Provisions
  9. Court Decisions
  10. Arbitral Institutions
  11. Arbitral Rules
  12. Arbitral Awards
  13. Literature

Metadata Tables

  1. Themes
  2. Questions
  3. Jurisdictions
  4. Topics
  5. Glossary
  6. Abbreviations
  7. Specialists

Airtable Configuration

Components

  • Base: Collection of all data tables
  • Table: Individual data tables within the base
  • Field: Columns within tables (various data types)
  • Record: Individual rows within tables
  • Views: Saved configurations of filtered, sorted, or grouped data

Naming Conventions

  • Table and Field names follow title case capitalization per APA guidelines
  • “Linked” columns are named <TABLE NAME> "Link"
  • Lookup columns are named <TABLE NAME> <COLUMN NAME>

Data Entry Rules

For Answers/Questions/Jurisdictions Tables

  1. Use search/filter/group functions to locate records
  2. Edit existing fields as needed
  3. Do not add new entries to these tables
  4. For answers, select from predefined dropdown options
  1. Add new records as needed
  2. Edit existing information directly in the relevant fields

For Concepts

  • Edit existing fields
  • Use “Assignee” column to define responsibilities

File Storage

In addition to structured data in NocoDB:

  • Original PDF files are stored in an Azure storage account named with their respective CoLD ID
  • File naming convention: follows the CoLD ID logic, i.e. “CD-CHE-1020”

Data Volume

  • Structured data: Less than 100MB
  • PDF attachments: Additional 5-10GB