Welcome from the Dean, QUT Faculty of Law

[Print-friendly version]

The Faculty of Law at QUT is one of the largest Law faculties in Australia. The Faculty offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, together with practical legal training programs which enable the requirements for admission to professional legal practice to be satisfied. The Faculty is also extensively involved in the delivery of continuing educational programs for law and justice professionals. An array of other activities is also undertaken within the Faculty. The administration of the Faculty's teaching, research, commercial, international and engagement activities is undertaken within the organisational units of the School of Law, the School of Justice and the Legal Practice Unit and within the Faculty's portfolios of Learning and Teaching, Research, and International, Commercial and Community Engagement, each headed by an Assistant Dean. The Faculty also is host to the Law and Justice Research Centre, established in 2006. Well-developed library and computing resources, including sophisticated online access facilities, are also available to support the teaching, research and other activities of students, staff and professionals.

The Faculty has emerged as a national leader of teaching and learning for law and justice professionals as a result of a series of initiatives which have focussed on curriculum improvements, the utilisation of technology and the development of students' generic attributes and skills. Continuous improvement of all aspects of the curriculum has been a major focus of attention in an effort to ensure that graduates are prepared for contemporary professional practice as well as providing opportunities for further ongoing professional educational development following graduation. The Faculty caters effectively for the diverse learning needs of students through a range of on- and off-campus delivery modes, all of which include components of online delivery which provide a greater level of flexibility in terms of accessing study materials and resources, access to staff and the completion of assessment items. In addition, steps have been taken to ensure that graduates enter the workforce with an appropriate balance of theory and practical skills. 2007 will see the Faculty focus on developing and expanding an increased range of real world learning experiences for students, including opportunities for work-integrated learning.

The Faculty has an impressive national profile in research and consultancy with many staff having well established reputations across a diverse range of specialist areas of interest within the broad parameters of law, legal practice and justice. The range of specialist interests includes Criminal Justice; Commercial Law; Property Law; Environmental Law; Technology Law; Intellectual Property, Corporate Law; Health Law, Civil Procedure; Administrative Law; Judicial Performance; Legal Education; Family Law; International Human Rights Law; Family Law; and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Research undertaken within the Faculty is world class as evidenced by the Australian Research Council (ARC) awarding several million dollars worth of research grants to Faculty researchers. The expertise of Faculty staff is frequently sought in relation to law reform projects and in consultancies with both the public and the private sector, whilst many staff are extensively involved in a range of other "real world" activities with professional leaders, law firms, refereed and professional journals and in the delivery of continuing professional education activities.

Overall, the Faculty is committed to maintaining and further enhancing its performance within its already well-established national teaching, research and engagement profile. Further details about the Faculty's profile are to be found on this website which has been specifically designed to provide information for a range of different users with particular needs and interests.

Welcome to the QUT Faculty of Law Website!

Professor The Hon. Michael Lavarch,
Executive Dean, QUT Faculty of Law