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This is a core course in the Juris Doctor program. It has a national focus, but specifically is approved by the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board (Qld) and the Chief Justice of Queensland as meeting the administrative law area of knowledge under the Supreme Court (Admission) Rules 2004 (Qld). It deals with core elements of administrative law, including: organisation and structure of the administration; administrative law theory; common law and statutory avenues of judicial review at Commonwealth and State level; grounds of judicial review; remedies; crown immunity; Administrative Appeals Tribunal; statutory review and freedom of information.

Government agencies and officials constantly make decisions that affect us. Administrative law is the body of law that defines the responsibilities of these decision-makers (ensuring amongst other things that powers are not exceeded and correct processes are followed). It also provides avenues of challenge for aggrieved persons and bodies.

Administrative law is the second major component of domestic 'public law' (the law governing the exercise of public power). Prior study in constitutional law focused principally on the validity of legislation. Administrative law generally assumes legislative validity and focuses on the validity and appropriateness of executive action taken under legislation (or under other powers) - especially insofar as that action affects the rights and interests of individuals.

The course first focuses on the principles and processes of `judicial review' including the `grounds' upon which such proceedings may be brought (and relevant questions of statutory interpretation), who may bring them, and what remedies may be obtained. The course then turns to the core non-judicial components of contemporary administrative law: `merits review', ombudsman investigation and freedom of information.

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding [by application and evaluation] of a complex body of [administrative law] knowledge and underlying principles and concepts; of the broader contexts within which [these] legal issues arise; and of the [relevant] principles and values of justice and of ethical practice in lawyers’ roles; and of contemporary developments in law, and its professional practice (PO1/TLO1).
2. Identify and articulate complex [administrative law] legal issues; [comprehend legal and other materials]; apply legal reasoning and research to generate appropriate jurisprudential and practical responses to legal issues; engage in critical analysis and make reasoned and appropriate choices amongst alternatives; and demonstrate sophisticated cognitive and creative skills in approaching legal issues and generating appropriate responses (PO3/TLO3).
3. Demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, legal methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions - as well as to identify, research in an ethical manner, evaluate and synthesise factual, legal and policy issues [from the administrative law perspective] (PO4/TLO4).
4. Communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences (PO5/TLO5).
5. Learn and work with a high level of autonomy, accountability and professionalism; and reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance, and make use of feedback as appropriate, to support personal and professional development (PO6/TLO6).
6. Identify applicable legislation and delegated legislation, explain [relevant] principles of statutory interpretation [in the administrative law context] and deploy appropriate techniques in the course of solving interpretative problems (PO7).