Just spaces: security without prejudice in the wireless courtroom. How do jurors respond to seeing defendants in a glass cage, in a traditional wooden dock or at the Bar table? The project will examine how courtroom design shapes attitudes; and, bringing together court executives, architects and researchers, will show how flexible wireless courtrooms can meet both security and human rights standards.
Mine, yours, theirs, and ours: examining the tension between private and community interests in property. Property is increasingly characterised by a tension between private rights and broader community interests, such as those relating to the environment, heritage and the public cultural domain. This project will create a new understanding of the nature of property which takes into consideration the need to balance community and individual interests.
Safeguarding human rights in China: A study of the role of legal aid policy. While China is a well-known Australia n trading partner its efforts to safeguard human rights are not well known. China's legal aid, the focus of this study, promotes human rights in China by assisting women, children, the elderly and disabled with legal advice and education, and representation in court cases. This project describes the innovative Chinese policy, assesses its role in promoting human rights, and propose ....Safeguarding human rights in China: A study of the role of legal aid policy. While China is a well-known Australia n trading partner its efforts to safeguard human rights are not well known. China's legal aid, the focus of this study, promotes human rights in China by assisting women, children, the elderly and disabled with legal advice and education, and representation in court cases. This project describes the innovative Chinese policy, assesses its role in promoting human rights, and proposes practical reforms to further improve legal aid. By improving human rights and the legal system it will also promote the stable conditions in China needed for Sino/Australian trade.Read moreRead less
A cross-disciplinary investigation of creative arts as intervention activity for young people at risk in urban and rural Victoria. The research project will investigate whether the involvement of "at risk" teenagers in creative arts activities can act as effective diversions from harmful risk taking behaviour. The project will set up, document and analyse creative arts projects in three urban and rural Victorian localities where there is a high proportion of marginalised youth. This research wil ....A cross-disciplinary investigation of creative arts as intervention activity for young people at risk in urban and rural Victoria. The research project will investigate whether the involvement of "at risk" teenagers in creative arts activities can act as effective diversions from harmful risk taking behaviour. The project will set up, document and analyse creative arts projects in three urban and rural Victorian localities where there is a high proportion of marginalised youth. This research will explore how involvement in creative expression results in increased self-esteem, an improved sense of goal setting and achievement together with community commitment. It will provide justice and social agencies with a model for effective youth program planning which will facilitate re-education and work opportunitiesRead moreRead less
The Reognition of Access to Energy Services as an Integral Component of the Human Rights and Sustainable Development Framework. This project will contribute to the fulfillment of Australia's international obligations as a member of the United Nations and as a party to a multitude of multinational treaties dealing with human rights and sustainable development. In addition the succesful realisation of the project would lead to an increased demand for alternative energy technology and infrastructu ....The Reognition of Access to Energy Services as an Integral Component of the Human Rights and Sustainable Development Framework. This project will contribute to the fulfillment of Australia's international obligations as a member of the United Nations and as a party to a multitude of multinational treaties dealing with human rights and sustainable development. In addition the succesful realisation of the project would lead to an increased demand for alternative energy technology and infrastructure (e.g. wind generators and solar collectors) that could result in the development of commercial opportunities for Australian companies and new industries in this country. Read moreRead less
Creating a Comprehensive International Law of Sustainable Energy: The Contribution of Law to Sustainable Development and Climate Change. This project provides a legal initiative that will contribute to the achievement of a sustainable energy future. Australia is already experiencing the impact of the failure to achieve this gaol through climate change, threats to energy security and increased destabilisation of international peace and security. All sections of the community must respond to thes ....Creating a Comprehensive International Law of Sustainable Energy: The Contribution of Law to Sustainable Development and Climate Change. This project provides a legal initiative that will contribute to the achievement of a sustainable energy future. Australia is already experiencing the impact of the failure to achieve this gaol through climate change, threats to energy security and increased destabilisation of international peace and security. All sections of the community must respond to these challenges and the project provides a contribution from the law. The realisation of the project may also lead to increased demand for energy efficiency and sustainable energy technologies and infrastructure that could result in the development of commercial opportunities for Australian companies.
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New Concepts in Legal Pluralism: A Theoretical and Practical Analysis. The central objective of this project is to make a substantial and original contribution to legal knowledge by developing a new concept of legal pluralism, and demonstrating its practical significance in the modern legal context. The traditional centralist model of law fails to recognise the co-existance of law with "quasi-legal" and informal normative systems, it deals inadequately with social and cultural difference, and it ....New Concepts in Legal Pluralism: A Theoretical and Practical Analysis. The central objective of this project is to make a substantial and original contribution to legal knowledge by developing a new concept of legal pluralism, and demonstrating its practical significance in the modern legal context. The traditional centralist model of law fails to recognise the co-existance of law with "quasi-legal" and informal normative systems, it deals inadequately with social and cultural difference, and it fails to recognise that state-based law is neither closed nor autonomous. This project will develop an innovative approach to legal pluralism, and strengthen pluralist thought within Australian law.Read moreRead less
Who is Law For? An Analysis of the Nature of the Legal Being. The project will provide the first contemporary comprehensive scholarly treatise on "the legal person" as this legal concept applies to natural beings and objects: from rational humans, to human foetuses to animals to trees. It will have a direct bearing on legal decision-making in some of the most sensitive and controversial areas of law and therefore will have a highly practical legal application. For example, the project critically ....Who is Law For? An Analysis of the Nature of the Legal Being. The project will provide the first contemporary comprehensive scholarly treatise on "the legal person" as this legal concept applies to natural beings and objects: from rational humans, to human foetuses to animals to trees. It will have a direct bearing on legal decision-making in some of the most sensitive and controversial areas of law and therefore will have a highly practical legal application. For example, the project critically evaluates the legal status of the embryo and so will be of immediate interest to national and international law reformers considering the legality of the new reproductive technologies, cloning and embryonic stem cell research.Read moreRead less
The Changing Role Of The Magistrates Court. Magistrates courts have far more contact with the community than any other court but have rarely been the subject of direct research. Recent changes include greater professional qualifications for magistrates and increased volume, complexity and seriousness of cases. This project will survey the changing social/demographic characteristics of magistrates; analyse their daily work, especially increased judicial functions; and examine roles played by s ....The Changing Role Of The Magistrates Court. Magistrates courts have far more contact with the community than any other court but have rarely been the subject of direct research. Recent changes include greater professional qualifications for magistrates and increased volume, complexity and seriousness of cases. This project will survey the changing social/demographic characteristics of magistrates; analyse their daily work, especially increased judicial functions; and examine roles played by social service providers. It will produce a better understanding of magistrates courts, emphasising ideas of judicial independence and accountability, essential to ensuring high standards for the Australian legal system and its relation to the community.Read moreRead less
The Australian Judiciary: A National Socio-Legal Analysis. Courts and judges constitute a key social and legal institution, with a distinctive obligation to maintain the rule of law. The knowledge produced by this research will benefit the judiciary, the courts, government and the public they serve. Research findings will be used by courts and government to shape policy in recruitment, selection and professional development. It will assist individual judicial officers to manage their workload ....The Australian Judiciary: A National Socio-Legal Analysis. Courts and judges constitute a key social and legal institution, with a distinctive obligation to maintain the rule of law. The knowledge produced by this research will benefit the judiciary, the courts, government and the public they serve. Research findings will be used by courts and government to shape policy in recruitment, selection and professional development. It will assist individual judicial officers to manage their workloads and provide valuable information for courts in managing independent professionals. This research will improve public and scholarly understanding of Australia's courts and will help sustain an institution essential for safeguarding Australia.
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