Law School
From tradition to innovation, we are the leading Law School in Western Australia.
Our pathways, programs and teaching excellence ensure we continue to educate remarkable graduates and global citizens.
Our research contributes to a fair and just society.
We earn the trust of the communities we serve.
Discover the power of legal thinking. Discover the enduring value of diverse legal minds. Discover your place in law.
To be a world-class law school that nurtures diverse legal minds and inspires just and innovative approaches to the global challenges of the 21st century.
Our mission
To provide a creative and supportive teaching, learning and research environment of legal excellence that fosters critical thought, ethical scholarship and practice, and connects with diverse communities.
Over 90 years of excellence
Ranked in top 100 law schools in the world (QS and Times Higher Education 2020)
Research rated above world standard (ERA 2018)
UWA Law School is committed to upholding the rule of law, and the promotion of the highest standards of ethical conduct, professional responsibility, and community service.
In response to the outcome of the High Court of Australia’s investigation into the sexual harassment of six Judges’ Associates by former High Court judge, Dyson Heydon, the UWA Law School issued this statement on sexual harassment in law.
The UWA Law School condemns past and ongoing discrimination in the Australian legal system that continues to create profound injustice in the lives of First Nations peoples. We are committed to continuing to work in partnership with Indigenous peoples to create culturally safe teaching and research spaces and produce culturally competent graduates.
The UWA Law School is certified by the Australian Law School Standards.
Welcome from the Dean
Over 90 years of excellence in legal research, education and service.
Highly acclaimed teachers and researchers
UWA Law School comprises more than 50 scholars. Our staff are continually evolving to meet current and future predicted challenges, and we celebrate their international expertise and multidisciplinary areas of study. Our world-class researchers inspire just and innovative approaches to global challenges of the 21st century.
Our research areas
Administrative and Constitutional Law
See all staffCommercial and Corporations Law
See all staffCriminology and Criminal Law
See all staffDispute Resolution and Family Law
See all staffHealth and Consumer Law
See all staffLaw and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
See all staffLaw and Society
See all staffLaw of Obligations
See all staffMining, Energy and Natural Resources Law
See all staffPrivate International Law
See all staffPublic International and Human Rights Law
See all staffTaxation Law
See all staffResearch entities
The UWA Law School supports the following research centres and networks.
Courses
UWA Law School fosters excellence, integrity and inclusivity in student learning through a diverse and inspiring range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, teaching methods and learning environments. We are leaders in the scholarship of teaching and learning in law, and provide a world-class legal education experiences across all our programs.
Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Find out what it's like to study Criminology and Criminal Justice at UWA. Hear about our industry connections, experienced staff, work integrated learning and what you can expect to prepare you for a career in a range of areas.
Executive education and CPD
- Energy Agreements: Oil and Gas, Alternative Energy and Sustainability
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Unit name: Energy Agreements: Oil and Gas, Alternative Energy and Sustainability
Unit date: 18 – 20 July 2023
Details: This three-day workshop will appeal to lawyers and non-lawyers wanting to develop their understanding of the legal agreements which underpin the commercialisation of energy, including oil and gas and alternative energy. The workshop aims to explain and review the key provisions of contracts important to the commercial development of oil and gas, wind and solar against the background of a transition to more sustainable energy. The contracts considered include joint venture agreements, electricity and gas sales agreements, transportation and storage agreements and agreements for the development of wind and solar power. The Energy Agreements course uses real life examples to demonstrate how the agreements operate in practice to share risk and reward. The course will be led by John Chandler. John is Co-Director of the UWA Law School's Centre for Mining, Energy and Natural Resources Law. John was a practising lawyer for many years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this course. He is assisted by a distinguished faculty of leading energy lawyers and economists who explain the legal, economic and commercial issues.
Price: $2,650 incl. tax and booking fee
CPD: Full attendance at this short course entitles a practitioner to six Legal CPD points. Points can be selected from Competency Area 2 (1 point available) and Competency Area 4 (16.5 available).
Further information and registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/energy-agreements-oil-and-gas-alternative-energy-and-sustainability-tickets-547020441867 - Sustainability Law and Policy in Resource Development
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Unit name: Sustainability Law and Policy in Resource Development
Unit date: 14 – 16 November 2023
Details: Sustainability is now a critical factor in the development of Australia’s mineral and energy resources as companies and regulators seek to balance the competing requirements of the environment, society and the economy. Industry participants and their lawyers need to have a clear understanding of the applicable rules in order to develop appropriate responses for investors, regulators and the public and to balance competing objectives for the present and the future. This workshop will give a clear understanding of those rules, including in mining, petroleum, climate change and environmental legislation and ASX reporting requirements. The workshop will provide practical examples enabling participants to apply the rules. The workshop is designed for lawyers and non-lawyers.
Price: $2,650 incl. tax and booking fee
CPD: Full attendance at this short course entitles a practitioner to six Legal CPD points. Points can be selected from Competency Area 2 (1 point available) and Competency Area 4 (19 points available) depending on the sessions they attend.
Further information and registration here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/sustainability-law-and-policy-in-resource-development-tickets-547061083427
Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Find out what it's like to study Criminology and Criminal Justice at UWA. Hear about our industry connections, experienced staff, work integrated learning and what you can expect to prepare you for a career in a range of areas.
Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Find out what it's like to study Criminology and Criminal Justice at UWA. Hear about our industry connections, experienced staff, work integrated learning and what you can expect to prepare you for a career in a range of areas.
Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Find out what it's like to study Criminology and Criminal Justice at UWA. Hear about our industry connections, experienced staff, work integrated learning and what you can expect to prepare you for a career in a range of areas.
Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Find out what it's like to study Criminology and Criminal Justice at UWA. Hear about our industry connections, experienced staff, work integrated learning and what you can expect to prepare you for a career in a range of areas.
Congratulations to our 2022 student award winners
- UWA Law School Awards
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Awards
LAWS1110 Crime and Society
- Daniella Esha Fernandes (92)
LAWS5501 Advanced Criminal Law and Procedure
- Amelia Ikin
LAWS1111 Law, Conflict and Change
- Nethumi Nuhansa Wijesinghe (91)
LAWS5114 International Environmental Law
- William Goyder (85)
LAWS2207 Commercial Law
- Matthew John Cowan (88)
LAWS5115 Procedure
- Henry Cooney (84)
LAWS2220 Birth, Life, Death and the Law
- Jasmine Amber Semmler Hensley (93)
LAWS5152 Media Law
- Joseph Ferrante (81)
LAWS2223 Criminal Justice Systems
- Stephanie Eginton (91)
LAWS5167 Comparative Legal Method
- Byron Karemba (80)
LAWS2226 International Legal Institutions
- Matthew John Cowan (92)
LAWS5179 Law of the Sea
- Claudia Sosin (88)
LAWS3221 Creative Expression and the Law
- Stacie Cayla Blott (90)
LAWS5181 Health Law and Policy
- Isabelle Bavcevic (82)
LAWS3308 Business Law in Practice
- Matthew Dylan Poli (91)
LAWS5215 Theory & Practice of Risk Regulation
- Tiffany Chisholm (89)
LAWS3328 International Commercial Law
- Matthew Poli (87)
AWS5296 Technology Law and Governance
- Niall Gillmor (88)
LAWS3334 Law and Religion
- Olivia Jansen (84)
LAWS5517 Mining Law
- Dominic Carlsen (83)
LAWS3379 International Investment Law
- Maria Ambrose (93)
LAWS5521 Climate Change Law and Emissions Trading
- (Josias) Eduard Ferreira (81)
LAWS4102 Criminal Law
- Lisa Baxter (81)
LAWS5532 Oil and Gas Agreements
- Charlotte Griffin (80)
LAWS4227 Foundations of Law and Legal Institutions
- Tiffany Chisholm Gardner (88)
- Hannah Begley (82)
LAWS5820 Legislation in Practice
- Thomas Robins (81)
- Donated UWA Law School Awards and Scholarships
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Awards
Ace Alltree Prize in Intellectual Property
- Alex McCracken
Jackson McDonald Pro Bono Committee JD Prize
- Rahuul Prasad
Adjunct Professor, Dr Brett Davies Prize in Taxation
- Nicole Moller
James TF Chong Award
- Abigail Joy Gregorio
Allens Prize in Law
- Daniel Basuki
JD Scholarship for the Promotion of Social Justice
- Tenille Jaye Lazenby
Anna & Nicoletta Ciffolilli Scholarship for Women in Law
- Georgina Louisa Macri
Jeff Pearlman Memorial Prize in Taxation Law
- Zaif Fazal
Ashurst Prize
- Keshi Moore
Jennifer Inkster Memorial Law Scholarship
- Abigail Joy Gregorio
Australian Insurance Law Association Prize
- Yuzhi Zhou
K W Hatfield QC Prize in Law
- Natalie Fretton
B. P. Kakulas QC and Nellie Kakulas Scholarship in Law
- Isobel Beatrix Cole
K. W. Hatfield Q.C. Memorial Scholarship in Law
- Vanessa Durham Coutts
Cecil Bedford Thompson Brown Memorial Prize for Foundations of Public Law
- Nicholas Cokis
Kate King Legal Prize
- Olivia Jansen
Claire Harkness Memorial Prize
- Tom Penglis
King & Wood Mallesons Prize in Law
- Alex McCracken
Clifford Chance Prize for Dispute Resolution
- Jeremy Koh
Lavan Legal Prize in Professional Practice
- Henry Cooney
Conflict of Laws Prize
- Tristan Taylor
Lidia Scafidi Memorial Prize in Evidence
- Aleasha "Sanchez-Lawson "
Corrs Prize in Global Law
- Weng Kheong Yip
Linda Cotton (Vatskalis) Memorial Scholarship
- Thomas Riggio
Corrs Prize in Legal Excellence
- Ashley Naismith
- Matthew Swain
- Isobel Leman
- Rory O'Sullivan
- Isobel Cole
Lord Mansfield Prize in Private Law
- Thomas Daly
Daryl Williams AM QC Prize in Corporations Law
- Vanessa Coutts
Melvin Yeo Jessup Moot Scholarship
- Eimear Reynolds
Dean's Circle Juris Doctor Scholarship
- Olivia Huang
MinterEllison Prize in Contract F18/681
- Aaron Salter
Dean's Circle Juris Doctor Scholarship
- Jenna Hung
NEW CITIZEN BURSARY
- Yee Man Jenna Hung
Dean's Circle Juris Doctor Scholarship
- Ciara Lindgren
Nicholson and Wheatley Memorial Prize in Property
- Simona Dunn
Dr Dorothy W. and Dr Robert Collin Prize for Indigenous Law Students
- Tyson McEwan
Peter Birks Prize in Unjust Enrichment and Restitution
- Henry Cooney
EY Prize in Taxation Law
- Matthew Poli
Peter Handford Prize in Law
- Natalie Fretton
Family Law Practitioners' Association (Inc) Prize in Family Law
- Amy Steinepreis
Peter Reading Prize for Evolution of Human Rights
- Serena Cicchini
Family Law Practitioners' Association (Inc) Prize in Family Law
- Amy Steinepreis
Philip Lionel Sharp Memorial Prize in Law
- Greta Hays
Gilbert and Tobin Indigenous Scholarship in Law
- Ruby Okely
R.K. O'Connor QC Taxation Law Prize
- Henry Gillett
Grant Robertson Memorial Prize in International Commercial Arbitration
- Nic Ipsen
Richard McCormack Prize in Equity and Trusts
- Thomas Robins
Grotius Prize in Public International Law
- Alex McCracken
STEP (WA) Prize in Taxation of Trusts
- Zaif Fazal
H. C. F. Keall Prize in Law
- Bremer Moore
The Honourable Serge Ferrier Family Law Bursary
- Christy Frances Taylor
Harold H Glass Memorial Prize
- Matthew Swain
Thomson Reuters Prize in Company Law
- Ben Lilburne
Herbert Smith Freehills Prize
- Bremer Moore
Thomson Reuters Prize in Introduction to Business Law
- Rory Hewson
Herbert Smith Freehills Prize in Mining and Energy Law
- Adam Bond
UWA Law School Scholarship in Mining and Energy Law
- Thomas William Penglis
Indigenisation of the Juris Doctor
Through the Indigenisation of the Juris Doctor project, the UWA Law School is incorporating Indigenous cultures, knowledges and perspectives throughout Juris Doctor (JD) degree. The project is a joint initiative of the Law School and the School of Indigenous Studies, and is overseen by a Reference Group of legal and cultural experts.
Student health and well-being
The UWA Law School is committed to the health, well-being and safety of all of our students. We strive to support our students to stay well and thrive throughout their studies.
Global study opportunities
The UWA Law School is a community full of dedicated and passionate people who foster an environment of encouragement and acceptance. Studying Law at UWA has opened up countless opportunities for both my individual development and to make an impact in the community.Joshua Sanchez-Lawson
Blackstone Society President 2018
Our history and alumni
Over the past 90 years we have gone from strength to strength, and have a long and proud history of excellence in legal education, research and community service.
Dean's Circle
UWA Law Review
Opportunities
- Judge in Residence Scheme
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The Judge in Residence program encourages and fosters engagement between the judiciary and Law School staff and students. It supports sitting and retired judges to engage in academic activities, including writing and developing research topics and projects.
The 2022 Judge in Residence is The Honourable David Newnes. Open to sitting judges during a sabbatical (WA, Australia, overseas) or retired state, federal and High Court judges (including overseas judges) who wish to be part of the Law School community, the Judge in Residence program offers:
- The opportunity to be involved in the life of the UWA Law School.
- An office in the UWA Law School.
- Access to UWA Library facilities and service during your time in residence.
- Access to student researchers (with payment arrangements subject to negotiation).
- The opportunity to guest lecture and make other presentations to students and staff.
- Audit of postgraduate units taught by the UWA Law School.
In return, the Judge in Residence:
- Has regular interaction with members of the Law School.
- Provides informal mentoring of academic staff and students.
- Maintains a regular presence at the Law School (at least once a week) throughout their residency.
- Has opportunities to contribute to teaching.
How to apply
Contact Senior Lecturer and Deputy Head (Community and Engagement) Jacinta Dharmananda:
Tel: +61 8 6488 3955
Email: jacinta.dharmananda@uwa.edu.au - The Dean’s Foundation
- In 2022, UWA Law School launched a corporate donor program, the Dean’s Foundation. The Dean’s Foundation is a corporate donor program that creates long-term partnerships between your organisation and UWA Law School to ensure our continued success in producing remarkable graduates. Your organisation can become a member of the Foundation by making a financial contribution, and the Law School will work with you to determine how your contribution will be used. For more information, go to the Dean’s Foundation website.
- Law School Advisory Board
- The role of the Law School Advisory Board is to provide advice and an external perspective on the Law School’s strategic direction. This includes, for example, the direction and scope of the School’s teaching programs and research activities, its external engagement, and fundraising. We are fortunate to have a Board that consists of members of the legal profession from a diverse range of roles, experience and levels of seniority. For current members of our Advisory Board, please see here.
- John Toohey Oration
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The John Toohey Oration is a biannual Oration organised by the UWA Law School. The Oration, which commenced in 1998, honours the career and contribution to public life of a distinguished graduate of The University of Western Australia, the Hon. John Leslie Toohey. After graduating in Arts and Law, the Honourable John Leslie Toohey AC QC went on to become an outstanding legal practitioner and, as a Justice of the High Court of Australia, one of the country's most eminent jurists.
The Oration is given by distinguished speakers on a variety of topics. The most recent Toohey Oration was on Thursday 19 August 2021 at the Supreme Court of Western Australia. The Hon. Robert French AC delivered the Oration which was titled ‘A true Australian Republic: True to our history, fit for our future.’For more details about the Hon. John Toohey AC QC and details of past Oration speakers, visit the John Toohey Oration Lecture Series.
- UWA Mediation Clinic
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The UWA Mediation Clinic offers a tailored mediation service to help people to resolve University, workplace, family and community conflict.
- Visiting scholars
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The UWA Law School’s Visiting Scholars Program hosts academics from around Australia and overseas to undertake research and to participate in the communal life of the Law School. Approved visiting scholars are provided with a workspace, IT access and a computer (where possible) and library access. They are encouraged to participate in the academic life of the Law School and University, including seminars and public lectures.
Application process
Prospective visitors should email the following to the visiting scholars coordinator at least three months prior to their intended visit:
- a brief curriculum vitae that includes details of academic employment, qualifications and publications
- a one- to two-page proposal outlining the research project, planned collaboration with UWA Law staff and any other activities intended during the visit
- a copy of a letter from your home university confirming that you are an academic (not a student) and will be taking sabbatical leave for the duration of your visiting academic appointment, and confirming that you will be returning to full-time employment when the visiting appointment ceases
- copy of biodata page (photograph page) of passport (if available). An appropriate visa must have been obtained to allow commencement of this appointment
Applications are considered in advance of the proposed visit and all applicants will be notified as soon as possible after a decision is reached. Any further information that is required to implement the decision will be sought at this point. The Visiting Scholars Program receives many applications from prospective visitors and unfortunately not all can be supported.
- Legal internship and Clinical Legal Education
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The Law School provides a Clinical Legal Education program through which our students can participate in local, national and international legal internships with law firms, courts, government agencies, non-governmental organisations and the UWA Mediation Clinic. The focus is upon social justice and commercial placements. If your organisation is interested in offering an internship to a law student, to find out more please refer to our ‘Internship Expressions of Interest’ webpage.
- Tutoring in the Law School
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The Law School often needs sessional teachers (tutors) for law subjects in the Juris Doctor (JD) and in undergraduate units. If you are interested in tutoring, as a first step, please contact the unit coordinator of the unit you are interested in working in to see if they have availability.
Past events
- Address by Justice James Edelman, High Court of Australia
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On Wednesday 26 October, UWA Law School hosted an address by the Honourable Justice James Edelman, Justice of the High Court of Australia. Justice Edelman spoke on the topic ‘Aliens, Citizens, and Indigenous Australians’. The speech addressed 51(xix) of the Constitution and the view that people of the Commonwealth are either citizens or aliens.
- French Dialogues: The Future of Artificial Intelligence and Humans: Should we unplug the machines? October 2022
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UWA Law School and the Minderoo Tech & Policy Lab in the Law School held the inaugural French Dialogues on Thursday 6 October 2022 at 5.30pm. The French Dialogues is a panel of experts from various disciplines who discuss a contemporary and pressing issue.
The 2022 Dialogues addressed 'The Future of Artificial Intelligence and Humans: Should we unplug the machines?'. The panel consisted of experts from law, computer science, business and the humanities. The French Dialogues honours the Hon. Robert French AC, a UWA Law School alumnus (LLB ’71), former Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia and current Chancellor of UWA.
- Address by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Singapore, Sundaresh Menon, July 2022
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UWA Law School and the Supreme Court of Western Australia hosted an address by Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Singapore on Wednesday 27 July 2022 in the Supreme Court of WA, Stirling Gardens.
The topic of the Chief Justice’s address was 'The Law of Commerce in the 21st Century: Transnational Commercial Justice Amidst the Wax and Wane of Globalisation.'
A copy of the Chief Justice's paper is available here.
News
Awards and achievements
The University of Western Australia has a continual roll call of awards, scholarships and prizes presented to staff and students.
Read moreFour UWA high achievers awarded Fulbright Scholarships
A senior biomechanist leading research in governing wearable tech, a PhD candidate developing state-of- the-art gene editing technologies for cancer immunotherapy, an offshore engineer delivering novel technology for Australia’s future energy sustainability and a First Nations law and policy expert are among four researchers from The University of Western Australia who have received 2023 Fulbright scholarships.
Read moreTsuha Global Fellows Visit UWA
Eight enthusiastic leaders from Indian Ocean Rim countries have gathered at the University of Western Australia (UWA) for the first time since beginning an educational journey aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Read moreObiter Dicta - our news
Read the last issues of Obiter Dicta, our newsletter for alumni, staff and community:
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To read previous editions of Obiter Dicta, visit our archive.
UWA Law School (M253)
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