SULS - Sydney University Law Society

Research concerning the perspectives of children and their families, and the legal and other professionals who deal with them especially in the course of dispute resolution and case planning, derives a number of benefits from methods that combine both qualitative and quantitative approaches. This seminar will outline the value of a mixed methods approach and how that has been applied in a series of studies concerning children's involvement in legal and other proceedings that make crucial decisions about their lives. It also outlines particular methods and the ethical and methodological issues that arise in research that aims to include the perspectives of children and young people in relation to these processes, together with the relevant findings of some of this research.

Speaker: Judith Cashmore
Time: Light lunch 12:30pm - 1:00pm; Seminar 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Phone: 9351 0238
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

B. The Ross Parsons Address 2009: 'Decoupling', Governance and the World Financial Crisis - THIS FRIDAY

Market integrity is an important issue in current Australian corporate law debate.

Traditional understandings of "equity" and "debt" contemplate bundled packages of rights (such as economic, control, and other rights) and obligations (such as disclosure obligations). Because of the derivatives revolution, hedge funds, and other factors, the elements of these packages can now be "decoupled."

Professor Hu will offer an overview of the decoupling phenomenon itself, an analytic framework that sets out its functional elements and the phenomenon's worldwide significance. As to "equity decoupling" he will discuss how patterns such as "empty voting" and "hidden (morphable) ownership" can affect key substantive and disclosure mechanisms of corporate governance. He will also discuss how the viability of individual corporations as well as the stability of the world financial system can be affected by "debt decoupling." Because of the current global financial crisis, debt decoupling-related matters might be especially topical.

Speaker: Henry Hu, University of Texas
Time: 5.30 - 7.00pm
Cost: Entry is free however registration is essential
Phone: (02) 9351 0238
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

C. Bill of Rights Consultation with Frank Brennan - WEDNESDAY 24 June

SULS has managed to organise a Bill of Rights Consultation with Father Frank Brennan, who is head of the government advisory panel on whether Australia needs a Bill of Rights.

The consultation will be a rare opportunity for students and staff to present their thoughts to Father Brennan. It will consist of a session of hearings, at which staff and students will have approximately 5-10 minutes each to personally present their thoughts to Father Brennan, followed by a more open group discussion on the topic.

To secure a spot in the session of hearings and open discussion, please e-mail Hannah Quadrio by 30 May at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

II. OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Enrol now for the Social Justice Program in Semester 2

Applications are now open for the Social Justice Program, which will begin as a subject in Semester 2. See http://www.law.usyd.edu.au/cstudent/undergrad/social_justice_program_application.shtml for details on how to enrol.

Through this program, students can elect to do internal, for-credit placements at organisations such as RACS and PILCH.

B. Faculty/Student Debate - call for debating/public speaking champions

The Law Faculty has challenged the student body to debate the topic: "That Australia should become a nuclear weapons power under the Non-Proliferation Treaty".

The debate will be an occasion for the Faculty to match their know-how against student know-little, but also a chance for students to trash talk their lecturers outside of the evaluation form process.

The debate will be moderated by a leader of the University or a renowned expert in International Relations. It is anticipated the debate will occur around one o'clock on Wednesday, 5 August (Week 2, Second Semester) in the main lecture theatre (101) and will attract a large lunchtime audience (it will be catered).

We need to field a team of 3 debaters - we are looking for humorous and engaging speakers rather than experts in international law.

To apply, please send an email with your debating/public speaking experience to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

C. Call for Applications for SULS Competitions Director for the Remainder of 2009

The Competitions Portfolio is responsible for running the numerous internal mooting and skills competitions during each semester as well as coordinating intervarsity competitions. We will be losing one of two current Competitions Directors, David Allen, to exchange for Semester 2, 2009. In accordance with section 37 of the SULS Constitution, a new Competitions Director will be appointed on the basis of merit to work with the continuing Competitions Director, Alice Zheng.

Responsibilities of the Competitions Director for Semester 2 will include:
1. Managing, supervising and assisting the conveners of the SULS Contracts Moot, Federal Constitutional Law Moot, Equity Moot and Witness Examination Competition
2. Coordinating the Faculty/Student debate, demonstration moots for Sydney Uni Live, and other one-off competitions events
3. Organising intervarsity competitions between Sydney University and other universities
4. Overseeing the selection process for intervarsity competitions teams
5. Participating in the deliberations of the SULS Executive at weekly meetings

APPLICATION DETAILS

Applications must be comprised of a cover letter (maximum one-page per position applied for) and an up-to-date curriculum vitae. The cover letter must address your capacity to bear the key responsibilities and accountabilities of the position applied for. The process of selection might involve an interview for shortlisted applicants.

Applications should be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . In the subject title, please insert "Application for SULS Competitions Director."

The deadline for the submission of applications is 5pm, Friday 24th July 2009.

D. What do you think of the new Sydney Law Building?

The Faculty of Architecture, Design & Planning is conducting a short survey to determine how successful this new building accommodates its students.

This is your chance to complain or praise the architects and the university. Results will be collated and appear in student publications. They will also be forwarded to the Students' Representative Council, University's Campus Infrastructure Services and the architects, Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp.

It only takes a few minutes and this survey will ensure that your voice is heard!

Please click on the link below:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=chhG8Dp_2f9xvg_2bdnre3BfUw_3d_3d

Your views are greatly appreciated.

E. Social Justice Community Legal Education (CLE) Committee - positions available

Three members of the CLE Committee are going on exchange in Semester Two, opening up room for three more people to become involved in the exciting work of this committee. The CLE Committee is focused on developing a Prisoner's Legal Service, which will in time form part of the broader Social Justice Program.

Committee members should recognise the pressing need for prisoners' legal services and be committed to addressing this need. They should be reliable and organised. They should have strong attention to detail and excellent interpersonal skills, and they must recognise the need for proper documentation. They should have capacity to contribute (max) 6 hours per week to the work of the Committee.

If you are interested in being on the CLE Committee in Semester Two, please email Hannah Quadrio at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it by June 27 (after exams) with the following information:

Name
E-mail
Phone
Degree
Year
Why you are a good fit for that position/s (200 words or less)

F. Power Shift - Australia's First National Youth Climate Summit

Power Shift is Australia's first national youth climate summit, held at the University of Western Sydney, July 11-13th 2009. It's the moment where our fast-growing youth movement for a safe climate future comes together. We are a power shift to renewable energy, green jobs and safe climate future.

If there is any time when our generation must come together and make our voices heard on climate change, it is 2009. Our window of opportunity is short - in December 2009 the United Nations Climate Negotiations in Copenhagen will be a key turning point where Governments must agree to stronger global cuts in emissions. But Governments will only aim as high as their people demand; hence young people are organising Power Shift summits in the US, UK and Australia.

Power Shift 2009 will be an historic event for Australian youth to share best practices, build community, learn skills and solutions, set clear and ambitious plans for action, and pressure our political leaders for stronger climate solutions.

Email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information or to register your interest.

G. Textbook Loans Scheme

SULS is launching a new scheme enabling students who meet requisite criteria to borrow core subject textbooks for one semester. Applications are now open for semester 2. Please apply by emailing an application form (which can be obtained from the equity section of the website or by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ) to Daria at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

H. Administrative Appeals Tribunal Moot - Last Call for Applications

The preliminary state rounds for the 2009 Administrative Appeals Tribunal Mooting Competition will be from 11-13 August. The AAT moots involve fact scenarios drawn from a variety of administrative law areas and are conducted like AAT hearings.

This year SULS will be sending 3 representatives to represent Sydney Law School.

For more information visit: http://www.aat.gov.au/AboutTheAAT/MootingCompetition.htm

If you would like to apply please email the following details to: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with the competition you would like to enter and your name in the reference line:

NAME:
YEAR:
COMPETITIONS EXPERIENCE (with the levels that you reached):
JUDGING/ORGANISATION EXPERIENCE:
CONTACT PHONE NUMBER:
E-MAIL:
WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION:

Registrations will close Tuesday 23rd June at 5pm. No further registrations after this date will be accepted.

I. YEMAYA: Call for Submissions

Yemaya is an interdisciplinary journal produced each year by the Women's Committee. Students from all disciplines are invited to submit essays, opinion pieces, short stories, poetry, interviews, photography, book reviews and original artworks that express and evaluate the ideas and experiences of women around the world. Work can be relevant to fields as diverse as law, gender studies, literature, art, history or politics.

The journal will be launched this year by High Court Judge, Justice Virginia Bell on Monday 17 August at Mallesons Stephen Jaques. Please keep submissions under 2500 words. Prizes will be awarded for best submissions.

DEADLINE 26 JUNE 2009 (LAST DAY OF EXAMS). Email your contribution to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Tickets to SULS Informal

Due to popular demand, second round tickets to the SULS Informal at the Ivy have now sold out.

Mailing List

Click here to subscribe to the SULS mailing list.

ASF

Sydney Law graduate and Rhodes Scholar, Natasha Simonsen, speaks about the Acid Survivors Foundation.

Click here to watch the video.