About the Institute of Legal Studies

The Institute of Legal Studies (ILS) was launched in 2007, as a national initiative of the Australian Catholic University. The Institute was launched by Sir Gerard Brennan, formerly Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. Father Frank Brennan was appointed as foundation Professor of Law.

In 2008, Professor Spencer Zifcak was appointed as Professor of Law and inaugural Director of the Institute. This appointment was made possible by a very generous donation to the University by Allan Myers AO, QC.

The Patrons of the Institute are Sir Gerard Brennan AC, KBE and Sir William Deane AC.

The founding principles for the ILS were:

1. To provide education and professional services in legal studies, which are grounded in the Catholic tradition and the Universitys Mission.
2. To develop postgraduate programs in legal studies for the University.
3. To provide continuing professional development in legal studies to meet the needs of legal practitioners and other leaders in industry and the community.
4. To develop a research and research training profile.
5. To prepare students to become accomplished servant leaders in areas relating to law, the judiciary, in public and community service, in business and in education.
6. To commit to excellence in high quality ethical practice, inter-professional engagement, teaching and learning and research.
7. To encourage strategic partnerships, locally, nationally and internationally.
8. To provide students with an interdisciplinary perspective on legal issues and, in particular, to encourage liaison with established disciplines within the University; disciplines such as philosophy and theology seem of particular relevance.
9. To undertake activities which would generate income to support the goals of the Institute.
10. To provide services founded on the principles of social justice to disadvantaged people, in particular Australian Indigenous people.

Although the Institute is national, its Head Office is based at the Australian Catholic University's Melbourne Campus at 250 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne.