This guide provides information on finding legal resources for courses in the LAWS Program.
- General Information
- Databases
- Types of law
- About Law
- Administrative Law
- Constitutional Law
- Consumer Law
- Contract Law
- Criminal Law
- Family Law
- Tort Law
- Links to some online web resources
- Case Law
- Legislation
- Secondary Resources
- Commentaries
- Specialty Law Resources
- Comparative Law
- Foreign Law
- Taxation
- Treaties
- Referencing
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About Law
The law is the system of rules and regulations by which society functions efficiently and harmoniously. The legal system protects the rights and responsibilities of both individuals and groups, and ensures social and economic interactions are conducted smoothly and peacefully. Essentially, laws serve as the primary mediator of relations between people.
Every state and country has its own legal system. There are many different branches of law including corporate law, property and taxation law through to media, environmental health and international law. All types of law have far-reaching effects and help to shape politics, economics and society in numerous ways.
Administrative Law
"Administrative law is an area of law that you will need to rely on if you wish to challenge a decision or action of a government official, department or authority. Administrative law may also apply when the person whose decision you wish to challenge is not a government officer but is exercising "public power" (e.g. a power granted to a person by a statute). Decisions or actions governed by administrative law are called (in this chapter) "administrative decisions"."
Administrative Law. (2017). The Law Handbook 2018. Retrieved fromhttp://www.lawhandbook.org.au/2018_12_02_01_challenging_administrative_decisions 
- Administrative Review Council
The role of the Administrative Review Council ‘is to ensure that our system of administrative review is as effective and significant in its protection of the citizen as it can be’ - Australian Institute of Administrative Law
The AIAL was established in 1989. The principal objects of the Institute are to promote knowledge of and interest in Australian Commonwealth, State and Territory administrative law and to provide a forum for exchange of information and opinions on all aspects of administrative law and administrative practices - Adminstrative Appeals Tribunal
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) provides independent review of a wide range of administrative decisions made by the Australian government and some non-government bodies - Federal Court of Australia
- WorldLII Catalog - Administrative Law
Constitutional Law
Constitutional law is the body of law which defines the relationship of different entities within a state, namely, the executive, the legislature and the judiciary.
- Australia Act 1986 (Cth)
- Documenting a Democracy: Australia's Story
This website tells the story of Australia through the documents which give our national, state and territory governments the right to govern.' Includes Commonwealth Of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (UK), Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942 (Cth), Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth) Australia Act 1986 (Cth),Constitution Act 1867 (Qld), Constitution Act Amendment Act 1922 (Qld) and Australian Courts Act 1828 (UK). - WorldLII - Constitutional Law
Consumer Law
Consumer law covers national laws guaranteeing consumer rights when buying goods and services.
Contract Law
Contract law encompasses any laws or regulations directed toward enforcing certain promises. In Australia contract law is primarily regulated by the 'common law', but increasingly statutes are supplementing the common law of contract - particularly in relation to consumer protection.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
Provides information on Australian consumer law relating to consumer rights and guarantees
ACCC provisions on misleading or deceptive conduct
Provides information on Australian consumer law relating to misleading or deceptive conduct.
A good source of commentary on contract law.
For commentary on Australian contract law.
Criminal Law
The criminal law of Australia is generally administered by individual jurisdictions in the Commonwealth of Australia. These jurisdictions include the six states, the Commonwealth, and the self-governing territories. It is in large part a matter for the states, with only a small subset of criminal activities reserved for Commonwealth government to prosecute.
- Australian Institute of Criminology
The Australian Institute of Criminology is Australia's national research and knowledge centre on crime and justice
- Crime and Misconduct Commission (Qld)
The CMC came into existence on 1 January 2002 when the Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) and the Queensland Crime Commission (QCC) merged to form the new organisation
- Institute of Criminology
A centre of the University of Sydney dedicated to public education on criminal justice issues
Westlaw Australia: The Laws of Australia
Find information on, criminal law principles, criminal offences criminal procedures and criminal sentencing.
Lexis Advance This link opens in a new window
Find information from the Lexis Nexis Criminal Law page and filter to your relevant State e.g. Queensland
Family Law
Family Law is the branch of law that deals with matters relating to the family, such as divorce and child custody.
CCH iKnowConnect This link opens in a new window
Full text legal publications and resources covering business, tax, corporations,conveyancing and property law; financial planning; human resource management; industrial relations; intellectual property; occupational health and safety; privacy; sports, medical and family law. It includes access to the Australian Master Tax Guides.
Tort Law
What is a tort?
"A civil right of action arising independently of contract, restitution, crime or equity. Torts serve to protect a person’s interest in his or her bodily security, tangible property, financial resources, or reputation. Unlawful interference with one of these interests is redressable by an action for damages and potential interference may be prevented by injunction. The law of torts aims to restore the injured person to the position he or she was in before the tort was committed."
Tort. (n.d.). In Encyclopaedic Australian Legal Dictionary. Retrieved from Lexis Nexis Australia.
Links to some online web resources
Here is a list of links to various websites. Please make sure to critically evaluate any information that you draw from these sources prior to using in any of your assessment tasks.
This site was created by Dr Julie Clarke and is designed to provide resources relating to Australian contract and consumer law.
IBISWorld This link opens in a new window
Provides analysis on Australian market characteristics, competitive landscape, operating conditions, current and historical performance, a five-year forecast, and major industry participants. Includes reports on various industries including:
- Legal Services in Australia
- Criminal Lawyers and Attorneys in Australia
- Personal Legal Services in Australia
- Management Consulting
- Trademark and Patent Lawyers and Attorneys in Australia
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