In seminar discussion and case studies, the course will examine theories and processes of achieving law reform.

The topics to be covered in the course include:

• theories of law reform;
• the politics of law reform;
• law reform through institutions: parliament, the bureaucracy, commissions and courts;
• law reform through community action; and
• the role of the news media and new media.

Seminar dates as follows:

• 26 February - Week 1 - Seminar 1
• 05 March - Week 2 - Seminar 2
• 12 March - Week 3 - BREAK
• 19 March - Week 4 - Seminar 3
• 26 March - Week 5 - Seminar 4
• 02 April - Week 6 - Seminar 5
• 09 April - Week 7 - Seminar 6

On successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

• understand different philosophical conceptions of law reform;
• explain different theoretical justifications for law reform;
• describe the different available methods of achieving law reform;
• analyse the appropriateness of those different methods according to a particular law reform issue;
• design a law reform strategy that is appropriate to a particular law reform issue;
• describe the skills necessary for a lawyer to engage effectively in law reform; and 
• act ethically in undertaking law reform.

Students will be assessed for their class participation, reflective journal entries, and a practical assignment which addresses a current or proposed issue of law reform.  Details of the final assessment will be provided on the course home page by the first week of semester.

The course will be taught intensively this semester, over 6 Saturdays, as displayed on the timetable.

In engaging in discussion about processes for changing law, this course assumes that students have a general understanding of the conventional processes of making law (eg through legislation, policy, and appellate courts), and a general awareness of contemporary politics and policy debates. 

Completed or completing five LAWS courses at 1000 level.

Prescribed reading will be in a course brick compiled for the course and available before the first week of semester.

The preliminary reading required for this course, if any, will be available from the course home page at least one week prior to the commencement of the course.