The University of Notre Dame Australia Law Review (UNDALR)
Overview
The University of Notre Dame Australia Law School was established on the Fremantle campus in 1997. The UNDALR was first published in 1999.
UNDALR is a general law journal. It publishes articles dealing with Australian and International law. All articles are subjected to a double blind referee process.
Articles published in the UNDALR, having been subjected to external blind referee review, are accepted on the basis that they are of a publishable standard and make a significant contribution to legal scholarship.
The volumes published in 2001 and 2002 include articles that helped shape the national debate on whether Australia should become a republic. Authors published in the UNDALR include academics from a range of countries including Kenya, Uganda, the UK, and various parts of Australia.
Many of the articles form part of a wider body of global scholarship. Examples include:
Rachael Mulheron ‘Exemplary Damages and Tort: An International Comparison’ (2000)
Gonzalo Puig, ‘Why the European Union Needs a True Constitution’ (2006)
Jackson Maogoto, ‘Democratic Governance: An Emerging International Norm? (2003); Sovereignty in Transition Human Rights and International Justice (2005); East Timor’s Tortured March Towards Statehood (Self-Determination). (2007)
Some articles address moral and ethical concerns and engage with the global research community. Examples include:
Patrick Quirk, 'An Australian looks at German Proportionality’ (1999)
Robert French ‘Ethics at the Beginning and Ending of Life’ (2003)
Paul Kennedy, 'Rule of Law: Recent developments in the UK’ (2006)
Paul Harpur, ‘The Evolving Nature of the Right to Life’ (2007)
Submission of articles
Academics and professionals are invited to contact the Associate Editor, Ava Sidhu (asidhu@nd.edu.au) or submit their manuscripts by Friday 6 March 2009 for consideration in the 2009 edition of the journal to undalr@nd.edu.au .
Manuscripts should comply with the School of Law Style Guide. From the beginning of 2004 the School of Law adopted the Australian Guide to Legal Citation, 2nd edition (AGLC) as its standard guide to all scholarly writing in the School (with a few variations).
The Melbourne University Law Review Association developed AGLC and it can be downloaded or ordered from the Melbourne University Law Review homepage.
An abridged two page guide can be found at: School of Law Referencing Style Guide Summary.
The Editorial Board
Editorial board includes judges, legal practitioners, academics and theologians. The presence of Rev Doctor Walter Black reflects the Catholic nature of the university. The 2009 Board comprises:
His Eminence George Cardinal Pell
Justice Neville Owen
Mr Ken Martin QC
Mr Bruno Camarri
Mr Kevin Andrews
Fr Walter Black
Mr Lucas Wilk
Law Review Committee
The Journal is published with a significant input from student review members. A committee to oversee the publication consists of:
The Dean
The Associate Editor
The Chair of the School Research Committee
A senior academic staff member
The Craven Law Librarian, and
The Student Editorial team(assistant editors)
The Student Editorial Team
The annual publication of the UNDALR is an extremely important part of the School of Law’s mission. Participation by law students in all aspects of its production is a prestigious honour.
The Review’s Editor is the current Dean of the School of Law, Fremantle. The Associate Editor is an experienced academic staff member who supervises and co-ordinates the student editorial team. The student team is chosen by the Dean in consultation with the unit co-ordinator/Associate Editor each year from written applications made by individual students; enrolment is by invitation only. Academic aptitude, an ability to work in a team situation, excellent research and referencing skills, good communication skills and an interest in research are essential qualities in student applications. Chosen students work as assistant editors and are credited as such in each edition of the Journal.
The student editorial team for 2009 will be announced in December 2008.
Applications should be made by the end of the semester 2 exam period each year to the Dean and the unit co ordinator. Students will be advised by mid to late December whether their application has been successful and work will begin before the commencement of semester with an introductory session and initial search for academic contributions.
Unlike standard units, LW5/380 Law Review will count as one 20 credit point elective but will not be conducted in the standard 13 weeks. It is a year long commitment. Students participating will work throughout the year as the need arises. There are no structured lectures/tutorials.
Responsibilities of assistant editors include, but are not limited to:
- assisting in the collection of suitable articles, notes and reviews from academics and practitioners;
- editing and research work to ensure submitted manuscripts are in publishable form;
- advertising, sponsorship and subscription drives and liaising with the Printer for final publication.
Assessment requirements for the unit include:
- requesting articles
- organising double blind refereeing of articles
- editing articles
- corresponding with contributors and referees
- writing a case note
- arranging printing of the journal.
Online access to UNDALR
Past editions of the UNDALR will soon be available online through both the University and Austlii. Further information will be added in 2009 with web links.
If you would like to subscribe to the Law Review please click here.
