In seminar discussion and case studies, the course will examine theories and processes of achieving law reform.  This course has been taught in 2008, 2010 and 2011.  In 2010 it was taught in intensive mode over a series of weekends, but that is not its usual format.

The topics 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.

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 at the beginning of semester.

This course will be taught in a single, three hour seminar each week for which there will be required reading.  Many seminars will have guest speakers.  Attendance at least 11 seminars is compulsory; the seminars are not recorded.

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 articles and book chapters compiled for the course and available in downloads on the course Wattle site or, if necessary, in a reading brick.

There is no preliminary reading required for this course.