Public interest litigation: making the case in Australia

Authors

Andrea Durbach, University of New South Wales
Luke McNamara, University of WollongongFollow
Simon Rice, Australian National University
Mark Rix, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

81918

Publication Details

Durbach, A., McNamara, L., Rice, S. & Rix, M. (2013). Public interest litigation: making the case in Australia. Alternative Law Journal, 38 (4), 219-223.

Link to publisher version (URL)

Alternative Law Journal

Abstract

Litigation is widely and appropriately recognised as an important component of the public interest advocacy 'toolkit'. Yet, little attention has been paid in Australian research and scholarship to an important question: under what circumstances is public interest litigation (PIL) an effective way to bring about progressive social change? Informed by a review of the international literature on PIL, the authors of this article argue for the importance of drawing on Australia's rich history with PIL to develop a solid empirical evidence base which can inform future decision about the strategic employment of PIL in campaigns to address the concerns and needs of disadvantaged and marginalised sections of Australian society.