User-friendly legislation: Why we need it, and how to achieve it
Modern smartphones are some of the most technologically sophisticated pieces of equipment ever invented. And yet, to operate one, you don’t need a PhD in computer science or years of experience. For the most part, their operations are intuitive and their functions easily navigable. If only the same could be said for all modern legislation.
Read moreActing President of the ALRC appointed
On 9 January 2023, the Attorney-General of Australia, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, announced the appointment of the Hon Justice Mark Moshinsky as a part-time Commissioner of the ALRC. Justice Moshinsky will also fulfil the role of Acting President until a permanent replacement is confirmed.
Read moreAdvisory Committee
The ALRC forms an advisory committee, or panel of experts, for each Inquiry
Read moreRECORDING Inaugural Michael Kirby Lecture
On Monday 5 December 2022, the ALRC hosted the Inaugural Michael Kirby Lecture at the Federal Court of Australia in Melbourne. The 2022 keynote address was delivered by the Attorney-General of Australia, the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP.
Read moreThe Wondrous Universe of Law: The ALRC’s DataHub and a new age of legal exploration
In this article the ALRC announce the launch of the DataHub, which will enable greater explorations of our Universe of Law. Using the DataHub and new tools of discovery, this article summarises four key learnings about our law. They concern the law’s scale, expansion, complexity, and tendency to disorder. These learnings, and others gleaned from the DataHub, can help improve our Universe of Law, for the benefit of all.
Read moreRECORDING Legislation Renovation: What Interim Report B means for you
On Wednesday 16 November 2022, the ALRC hosted a webinar to examine Interim Report B and its proposed legislative model. Hear about the research and novel data analysis underpinning the ALRC’s most recent report into simplifying the legislative framework for corporations and financial services legislation.
Read moreAll Roads Lead to Rome: the ALRC’s new Background Paper on unconscionable and misleading or deceptive conduct
This article provides a high-level summary of the ALRC’s latest Background Paper on unconscionable and misleading or deceptive conduct provisions in financial services legislation. The ALRC proposes a consolidation of such provisions, to improve the expressive power of the law, and to reduce the burden of compliance and enforcement. Dr William Isdale Starting in around …
Read moreAll roads lead to Rome: unconscionable and misleading or deceptive conduct in financial services law (FSL9)
This discussion of unconscionable and misleading or deceptive conduct is the ninth in a series of background papers to be released by the Australian Law Reform Commission (‘ALRC’) as part of its Review of the Legislative Framework for Corporations and Financial Services Regulation (‘the Inquiry’).
Read moreThe Design of Everyday Law
In this article the ALRC considers how principles of ‘human-centred design’ could be used to improve the ‘user experience’ of Australia’s legislation — and increase the likelihood that it is understood and complied with.
Read moreTimetable
4 November 2022 Terms of Reference received 9 January 2023 Individual views and experiences survey open 27 January 2023 Consultation Paper released 24 February 2023 Submissions on Consultation Paper close 20 April 2023 Terms of Reference amended to extend date for reporting 31 December 2023 Final Report due to the Attorney-General In its Terms …
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