'Good governance', 'rule of law', 'strengthening access to justice' and 'land reform' are currently high on the agenda of governments and donors in the South Pacific region. Law reform is often presented as a remedy to political instability, corruption, disappointing economic growth, and conflict. This course introduces students to the legal systems of the independent nations of the South Pacific and considers the relationship between law, governance and development in the region. It covers the following:

• the general features of law and legal systems in countries of the South Pacific, inluding the influence of custom and tradition;
• the multiple meangs of 'law' in the social, political and legislative contexts of the South Pacific;
• constitutions, leadership and the organisation of the state;
• accountability and anti-corruption; and
• current debates about the status and recognition of customary law, particularly in relation to land and natural resource management and human rights.

At The end of the course students will:

• have a broad comprehension of the general patterns in law and legal systems in countries in the South Pacific, the influence of custom and tradition, the colonial period and contemporary state-building initiatives;
• be able to evaluate contemporary academic and policy debates about the status and recognition of customary law, particularly as it relates to governance and state building, land and natural resource management and human rights.
• be able to access and analyse South Pacific legal materials and to employ a variety of tools and methodological approaches useful for legal research and practice in South Pacific countries.

The proposed scheme of assessment is:

• a reflective reading journal, due shortly after the end of the teaching period
• a large research assignment, due within 6 weeks after the teaching period.

Twenty-six hours of face-to-face classes and private study time.

None

Basic knowledge of law. A basic understanding of the socio-legal environment in the South Pacific would also be an advantage.

There will be prepared reading materials put together derived mostly from journals.

Access to the internet required to access WATTLE