Australasian Legal Information Institute
Encyclopedia
The Australasian Legal Information Institute (AustLII) is an institution operated jointly by the Faculties of Law of the University of Technology Sydney and the University of New South Wales
. It is notable for establishing Australia's largest on-line database on Australian legislation and case law. Its public policy
purpose is to improve access to justice through access to legal information.
s, its initial funding was provided by the Australian Research Council
.
information includes legislation
, treaties and decisions of court
s and tribunal
s. It also hosts secondary legal materials, including law reform and Royal commission
reports, as well as legal journals
.
The AustLII databases includes the complete text of decisions of the High Court
from 1947 onwards, decisions of the Federal Court
from 1977 onwards, and decisions of the Family Court
from 1988 onwards, as well as a number of other federal and state courts and tribunals.
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
. It is notable for establishing Australia's largest on-line database on Australian legislation and case law. Its public policy
Public policy
Public policy as government action is generally the principled guide to action taken by the administrative or executive branches of the state with regard to a class of issues in a manner consistent with law and institutional customs. In general, the foundation is the pertinent national and...
purpose is to improve access to justice through access to legal information.
Inception
AustLII was established in 1995. Founded as joint program of the University of Technology Sydney and the University of New South Wales Law SchoolLaw school
A law school is an institution specializing in legal education.- Law degrees :- Canada :...
s, its initial funding was provided by the Australian Research Council
Australian Research Council
The Australian Research Council is the Australian Government’s main agency for allocating research funding to academics and researchers in Australian universities. Its mission is to advance Australia’s capacity to undertake research that brings economic, social and cultural benefit to the...
.
Content
AustLII content is publicly available legal information. Its primary sourcePrimary source
Primary source is a term used in a number of disciplines to describe source material that is closest to the person, information, period, or idea being studied....
information includes legislation
Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
, treaties and decisions of court
Court
A court is a form of tribunal, often a governmental institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accordance with the rule of law...
s and tribunal
Tribunal
A tribunal in the general sense is any person or institution with the authority to judge, adjudicate on, or determine claims or disputes—whether or not it is called a tribunal in its title....
s. It also hosts secondary legal materials, including law reform and Royal commission
Royal Commission
In Commonwealth realms and other monarchies a Royal Commission is a major ad-hoc formal public inquiry into a defined issue. They have been held in various countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Saudi Arabia...
reports, as well as legal journals
Academic journal
An academic journal is a peer-reviewed periodical in which scholarship relating to a particular academic discipline is published. Academic journals serve as forums for the introduction and presentation for scrutiny of new research, and the critique of existing research...
.
The AustLII databases includes the complete text of decisions of the High Court
High Court of Australia
The High Court of Australia is the supreme court in the Australian court hierarchy and the final court of appeal in Australia. It has both original and appellate jurisdiction, has the power of judicial review over laws passed by the Parliament of Australia and the parliaments of the States, and...
from 1947 onwards, decisions of the Federal Court
Federal Court of Australia
The Federal Court of Australia is an Australian superior court of record which has jurisdiction to deal with most civil disputes governed by federal law , along with some summary criminal matters. Cases are heard at first instance by single Judges...
from 1977 onwards, and decisions of the Family Court
Family Court of Australia
The Family Court of Australia is a superior Australian federal court of record which deals with family law matters. Together with the Federal Magistrates Court, it covers family law matters in all states and territories of Australia except Western Australia...
from 1988 onwards, as well as a number of other federal and state courts and tribunals.