Administrative Justice and Its Availability

The Federal Court of Australia exercises principal trial and intermediate appellate jurisdiction in relation to federal administrative law in Australia, a jurisdiction which is central to the Court's existence and function. Therefore, it was fitting for the Court, together with the Law Council of Australia, to host a conference designed to provoke thought and discussion about contemporary issues in Australian federal administrative law, held in conjunction with the Court's August 2014 judges' conference.

The conference brought together some of the best judicial, professional and academic thinkers in administrative law. It was opened with a sparkling and informed comparative presentation by Justice Dennis Davis from the Western Cape High Court of South Africa.

Through comprehensive panel reports on each session, this publication gives the reader the flavour of the entire conference, including the lively debates. Nine individual papers are also reproduced, covering the most important current issues in federal administrative law and bringing a variety of perspectives to those issues.

1. Administrative Law: The Challenges of the Twenty-First Century Justice Dennis Davis  2. Rationality and Reasonableness as Grounds for Review The Hon William Gummow AC  3. Taking Stock after Li  Justin Gleeson SC  4. Judicial Review for Unreasonableness or Irrationality: The Role of Proportionality Kristen Walker  5. The Contemporary Approach to Jurisdictional Error Justice Alan Robertson  6.Reasons, Reasoning and Jurisdictional Error Stephen McLeish SC  7. The Distinction between Jurisdictional and Non-jurisdictional Errors: Its Significance and Rationale Margaret Allars SC  8. Accessibility, Merits Review and Self-represented Litigants Melinda Richards SC  9. Constitutional Writ Review and the ADJR Act Neil Williams SC  10. Reports on Panel Sessions