1st Edition

Better Law for a Better World New Approaches to Law Practice and Education

By Liz Curran Copyright 2021
336 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

336 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

336 Pages 1 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

How as a society can we find ways of ensuring the people who are the most vulnerable or have little voice can avail themselves of the protection in law to improve their social, cultural, health and economic outcomes as befits civilised society? Better Law for a Better World answers this question by looking at innovative practices and developments emerging within law practice and education... Read more

Introduction

Part 1 The case for change – a need for innovation in the law, teaching and practice

1. Context and recent research

2. Adversarial approaches, problems and a need to do law differently

3. Rationale for new approaches to law and the teaching of law

4. Empowerment models

5. Client-centred approaches

6. Multidisciplinary practice

7. Restorative practice

8. Interdisciplinary student clinics and joint learning opportunities

Part 2 Practical skills for new approaches to lawyering

9. Effective communication and problem-solving skills

10. Collaboration

11. Community development and professional development

12. Policy research, submission writing and advocacy for change

13. Interdisciplinary learning in higher education

Part 3 The ethics of reflective practice and evaluation

14. Reflective practice

15. The importance of evaluation

Part 4 Resources

Appendix 1. Checklists and tips

Appendix 2. Author publications

Appendix 3. Established health-justice partnerships in Australia

Appendix 4. Relevant legal principles and inquiries

Biography

Liz Curran is Honorary Associate Professor at the Australian National University College of Law; Visiting Senior Fellow at Nottingham Trent University and a practicing solicitor. She is a member of the Australian Society of Evaluators and the Australian Association for Restorative Justice. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

"Curran advocates for, and illustrates, strengths-based approaches, trauma-informed practice, restorative practice, legal empowerment and multidisciplinary service delivery. The later chapters provide practical resources for developing the skills required for the new approaches identified.

While most relevant to legal educators, graduates and students, the text invites a much broader group into the conversation. Curran has made a concerted effort to ensure the text is accessible to those who have not been socialised into the legal lexicon, norms and traditions."

Brett Louise Woods, College of Law & Justice, Victoria University