Pro Bono Publications

Review of Queensland's Tenancy Database Legislation

The Review of Queensland's Tenancy Database Legislation report was prepared on behalf of and with the support of Tenants Queensland. The report is intended to provide an overview of key issues currently affecting Queensland tenants. It is intended to provide research and information for Tenants Queensland to use in its advocacy and policy work. 

Download the report (PDF, 1.7 MB)

Election Petitions in Papua New Guinea

The Election Petitions in Papua New Guinea report was prepared to support the work of the National and Supreme Courts of Papua New Guinea. The review considers the key literature on contested electoral returns in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in four parts.  

Download the report (PDF, 1.2 MB)

Access to Justice Scorecard Report

Queensland Law Society’s annual Access to Justice Survey asks members of the legal profession to identify existing barriers and propose ideas on how to improve access to justice for Queenslanders. Students assisted the Queensland Law Society in analysing and collating the survey data and in drafting the Access to Justice Scorecard Report 2022. 

Download the report (PDF, 393.6 KB)

Motorised Wheelchair Registration in Queensland

A report prepared for and on behalf of Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion, an independent advocacy organisation advocating for the protection and advancement of the needs, rights and lives of people living with a disability in Queensland, by UQ Law students Grace Hancock and Emitis Morsali.

Download the report (PDF, 250.5 KB)

Gillick Competency and Termination of Pregnancy

Download the report (PDF, 326 KB)

Reproductive Rights and the Religious Discrimination Bill

Download the report (PDF, 323 KB)

These reports were researched and drafted by law students Joey Lim, Radhika Peddibhotla, Phoebe Evans, Emma Kendall and Isabelle Peart for and on behalf of Children by Choice, an independent Brisbane-based non-profit organisation, committed to providing unbiased information on all unplanned pregnancy options.

Gender-related Violence Offences

This report was researched and written by Phylicia Lim and Maeve Lu for and on behalf of Women's Legal Service, a specialist Community Legal Centre. The report examines whether a separate criminal offence should be introduced in Queensland to cover situations where victims have been doused in petrol and threatened with violence. 

Download the report (PDF, 236 KB)

Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) and Bail Decisions

This research paper was researched and written by UQ law students Jane Beilby, Kristy Do and Jacinta Wild for and on behalf of Caxton Legal Centre, an independent, not-for-profit Community Legal Centre. It was produced by students through the Manning St Project (a partnership between the UQ Pro Bono Centre and Caxton Legal Centre).

This report aims to determine how human rights legislation has affected bail decision-making in other jurisdictions and consider the potential for the Act to improve outcomes for people seeking bail in Queensland.

Download the report (PDF, 1.02 MB)

A comparative analysis of the international implementation of rights of nature laws - October 2018

This report was researched and drafted by UQ law students Christabelle Stafford-Smith, Lachlan Hinchliff and Lucy Kaiser under the supervision of Environmental Defenders Office lawyer Revel Pointon and produced through the Manning St Project (a partnership between the UQ Pro Bono Centre and Caxton Legal Centre).

This report seeks to analyse legal systems globally that have implemented so called 'nature laws' and evaluate their success.

Download paper (PDF, 379KB)

Declared unfit to plead - April 2018

This research report was researched and written by Ellen Limerick, Dylan Kerr, Lauren Causer and Taylor Thomas. It provides a comparative analysis between each Australian jurisdiction with a focus on Queensland. The research was conducted for the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland, the Office of Public Advocate and the Office of Public Guardian.

Download the report (PDF, 387.7 KB)

Research Report – Working with Children Exposed to Domestic Violence - April 2016

Researched and written by UQ law students Colin Craig and Milly Khan, this report considers issues of consent, capacity and confidentiality for DV counsellors who work with young people. This report was prepared for and on behalf of the Domestic Violence Action Centre, based in Ipswich, Queensland.

Click here to view paper

What does pro bono publico mean to lawyers? - 1 June 2016

What does pro bono publico mean to lawyers? A report on the findings of the Pro Bono Values Project​
Click here to read the report

Queensland’s Frontier Killing Times – Facing up to Genocide - November 2015

An academic paper researched and co-authored by law students Hannah Baldry andAilsa McKeon, and Caxton Legal Centre Director Scott McDougall.  The paper was published by the QUT Law Review: (2015) Vol 15, Issue 1.  An earlier version of the paper was presented at the World Indigenous Legal Conference in Brisbane, QUT, June 2014.

Click here to view paper

Research brief:  Reform of Queensland’s Abortion Laws - May 2015

A research brief produced for and on behalf of Children By Choice about the need for abortion law reform in Queensland. The paper was researched and written by law students Brigette Landers and Chloe Bennett in consultation with Children By Choice and under the supervision of Professors Heather Douglas and Caroline de Costa.

Click here to view paper

Evaluation of a Collaborative Partnership - April 2015

An evaluation report produced for and on behalf of Pine Rivers Community Legal Service about the Legal Assistance Services Partnership with two Family Relationship Centres (Strathpine and Chermside) and Legal Aid Queensland.  The paper was researched and written by law students Lucy Agnew and Bronte Shaddock, under the supervision of Dr Paul O’Shea and Ms Monica Taylor.

Click here to view paper

Law Reform: Gone Missing - February 2015

A research brief published in the Alternative Law Journal 40(1) 2015, written by law students Anna-Gunning-Stevenson, Sara Ser and Valentine Dubois. The paper considers ways of improving the law’s response to missing persons in Queensland.

Click here to view paper

Cost effectiveness analysis of a ‘justice reinvestment’ approach to Queensland’s youth justice services - November 2014

An economic evaluation to identify and quantify the possible avoided costs and number of young people entering the youth justice system if the Queensland government invested in justice reinvestment programs. UQ economists Alexandra Bratanova and Dr Jackie Robinson prepared the report for Balanced Justice, an alliance of community organisations that work to enhance the safety of all Queenslanders by promoting understanding of criminal justice policies that are effective, evidence-based and human rights compliant.

Click here to view paper

Reproductive Health and Domestic Violence - August 2014

A research paper produced for and on behalf of Children By Choice about the role and impact of domestic violence as a barrier to accessing reproductive health. The research was conducted by law students Pui-Chi Cheung, Hannah Baldry, Harry Maxwell and Phuong Nguyen under the supervision of law academic Professor Heather Douglas.

Click here to view paper

Queensland community legal centre’s use of technology – literature review and discussion paper - August 2014

A discussion paper produced by the Queensland Association of Independent Legal Services Inc. (QAILS) on Queensland community legal centre’s use of technology. Law students Jessica Guy, Ravi Gosal, Maja Cvjetanovic prepared a literature review and conducted telephone interviews with lawyers in support of this paper. The students worked alongside lawyers from Allens Linklaters.

Click here to view paper

Legislative Encroachment on Judicial Discretion in Queensland - October 2014

This research paper summarises the winding back of judicial discretion in Queensland legislation, from 2012 to today. The paper was prepared for and on behalf of the Law and Justice Institute of Queensland Inc. It was researched and written by law students Nathan Lindsay and Evelyn Hoare under the academic supervision of Professor Heather Douglas.

Click here to view paper

Coronial inquests and investigative processes in Queensland - June 2013

A research report prepared for Caxton Legal Centre on coronial inquests and investigative processes in Queensland. Authors Kieran Clancy, Nathan Morley, Kelly Staunton and Jenny Wang, students of the Manning St Project (a partnership between the UQ Pro Bono Centre and Caxton Legal Centre).

Click here to view report

Barriers to parole for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Australia - June 2013

A research report prepared for Prisoners Legal Service.  Authors Rachel Hew, Victoria Apted and Tanya Sinha, students of the Manning St Project (a partnership between the UQ Pro Bono Centre and Caxton Legal Centre).

Click here to view report

Doctors and Drugs: How the Law Responds to Doctor-Shopping in Australia - April 2013

Research report prepared for Sisters Inside. Authors Elly Brand, Isobel Farquharson, Karrie Hartwig & Kah Hey Loh, students of the Manning St Project (a partnership between the UQ Pro Bono Centre and Caxton Legal Centre).

Click here to view report

The Nuisance of Being Homeless

Article in Parity, the national publication of the Council to Homeless Persons, Volume 25, Issue 2, May 2012. Authors Anna Fanelli, Mitchell Shannon and Julian Pryde (with additional research contributed by Darren Williams and Alan Hewson), students of the Manning St Project (a partnership between the UQ Pro Bono Centre and Caxton Legal Centre).

Click here to view report

Prisoners' Legal Service 2011 Report on Queensland Prisons

Chapter Three ‘Education Behind Bars’ researched and written by Jessica Faithfull, Eleanor Foote and Carl Tessmann, students of the Manning St Project (a partnership between the UQ Pro Bono Centre and Caxton Legal Centre).

Click here to view report

A comparative study into the rights of landholders to prevent access to land by mining companies

Produced for the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties (QCCL).  Authored by Julian Bodenmann, Matthew Cameron, Kathryn O’Hare and Emma-Rose Solomon under the academic supervision of Dr Justine Bell.

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The Regulation of Prisoner's Art - An Overview of the Legislative and Policy Position Within Australia

Produced for the Arts Law Centre of Australia. Researched and authored by Alison Black and Elizabeth Clare under the academic supervision of Dr Peter Billings.

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Background & Legislative Status of 'Do Not Track' Legal Initiatives

Produced for the Queensland Council for Civil Liberties (QCCL). Researched and authored by Brigette Garbin and Kelly Staunton under the academic supervision of Dr Mark Burdon.

Click here to view report

Review of the National Security Information (Criminal and Civil Proceedings) Act 2004

Students assisted Queensland Council for Civil Liberties to prepare a submission. This submission addresses issues relating to the National Security Information (Criminal and Civil Proceedings) Act (‘NSI Act’) and recommends that the common law is more appropriate in determining whether information should be disclosed in criminal and civil proceedings.

View the submission

Reforming Criminal Conviction Discrimination in Queensland 

A report prepared for and on behalf of HUB Community Legal Centre by UQ Law students Charlotte Linklater-Steele, Emitis Morsali, Archer Sullivan, and Hannah Woodfield. 

Download the report (PDF, 369.8 KB)

Out-of-Home Care and the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld)

A report prepared for and on behalf of Homestretch, a group of organisations and individuals that believe an option should be available for youth in the out-of-home care system to remain in care until the age of 21, by UQ Law students Chelsea Clark, Cliff Mei, and Matilda Anderson under the academic supervision of Pro Bono Centre Director Mandy Shircore. 

Download the report (PDF, 470.6 KB)

Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) and Sex Work

This legislative review was researched and written by Gabrielle Adams, Jesse Hyden and Spencer Hayward for and on behalf of Respect Inc. Queensland, a non-profit, peer-based organisation focused on protecting and promoting the rights, health and wellbeing of Queensland sex workers. The legislative review examines the compatibility of current legislation explicitly targeting sex workers with relevant provisions of the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld). 

Download the report (PDF, 396 KB)

The Impact of Human Rights Legislation on Human Service Delivery

Authored by UQ law students Elloise Campbell and Sarah Smale, this report examines the implementation and impacts of human rights legislation on human service delivery in the community services sector. The research was produced for and on behalf of the Queensland Council for Social Service (QCOSS).

Download the report (PDF, 274 KB)

Voting Rights in Prison: Issues Paper

Download the report (PDF, 636 KB)

Censorship of Mail in Australian Prisons

Download the report (PDF, 447 KB)

These reports were researched and drafted by UQ law students Martin Churchill and Murray Buchanan under the supervision of Civil Liberties Australia Vice-President Rajan Venkataraman and produced through the Manning St Project (a partnership between the UQ Pro Bono Centre and Caxton Legal Centre).

The reports seek to analyse human rights issues affecting the Australian Prison population.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Processes (Qld): Critical Analyses - June 2019

This project was researched and written by Madeleine Pitman, Thomas Moore and Karen Zhu for and on behalf of the Environmental Defenders Office, a non-profit, non-government Community Legal Centre.

This project broadly examines issues and problems related to the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process prior to the completion of an Environmental Authority (EA) application in Queensland.

Download the report (PDF, 454 KB)

Objectionable Behaviour Evictions in Social Housing – May 2018

Researched and written by UQ law students Ellie Conroy, Sarah Gilmour and Ayan Mohamud, this position paper was prepared for and on behalf of Caxton Legal Centre’s Human Rights and Civil Law Practice and builds on earlier work by staff and students in that team.

Download paper (PDF, 538KB)

Review of Standard Guidelines for Corrections in Australia – August 2017

A submission produced for and on behalf of Prisoners’ Legal Service to assist PLS to respond to the Queensland Corrective Services 2017 review of the Standard Guidelines for Corrections in Australia 2012.  The submission was researched and written by law students Joshua Keenan and Rebecca Bellamy under the supervision of law PhD candidate Jessica Ritchie.

Download paper (PDF, 853KB)

Law Reform Submission – Inquiry into Establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia – April 2017

Researched and written by UQ law students Nikita Aganoff, Rebecca Scott and Clare Scrine, this submission examines the nature and extent of modern slavery and supports the introduction of a Modern Slavery Act in Australia.  It was produced through the Manning St Project (a partnership between the UQ Pro Bono Centre and Caxton Legal Centre) under the academic supervision of Dr Paul Harpur and PhD Candidate Jessica Ritchie.

Law Reform Submission – Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme in Queensland – February 2017

Researched and written by UQ law students Henni Lui and Carmen Nicholls, this submission outlines arguments for and against the implementation of a Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme in Queensland. This submission was prepared under the academic supervision of Professor Heather Douglas.

Download paper (PDF, 563KB)

Law Reform Submission – Youth Justice and Other Legislation – October 2016

Primarily researched and drafted by UQ law students Jane Hall and Jessica Downing-Ide, this submission examines and supports proposed legislative changes to youth justice legislation in Queensland.  Professor Heather Douglas provided academic supervision for this pro bono research task.  Law school staff were invited to endorse the submission and their names and signatures are included at the back. The result is a collaborative piece of work between senior law students and UQ law academics.

Click here to view paper

Law Reform Submission – Review of expunging criminal convictions for historical gay sex offences - March 2016

This is a submission to the Queensland Law Reform Commission's review of expunging criminal convictions for historical gay sex offences. The submission was researched and written by UQ law students Erin Morris, Sarah Clouston and Chloe Widmaier under the academic supervision of Professor Heather Douglas. Numerous academics from the UQ Law School endorse the submission and its recommendations.

Click here to view paper

Research paper: Tongan Jury Reform – comparative analysis and recommendations - July 2015

A research paper produced for and on behalf of the Supreme Court of Tonga about the operation of civil and criminal jury trials. The paper was researched and written by law students Balawyn Jones, Lachlan Campbell and Ravi Gosel under the supervision of Professor Jennifer Corrin.

Click here to view paper

11 March 2015

Law Admissions Consultative Committee, on the review of academic requirements for admission to the legal profession (with letter of support from QAILS) 
Click here to view submission  Submission attachment

1 January 2015

To the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee (Queensland Parliament), on the Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2014 
Click here to view submission

Judicial Appointments in Queensland: Options For Reform - August 2014

Options paper on judicial selection in Queensland prepared for and on behalf of the Law and Justice Institute of Queensland Inc. The options paper was researched and written by law students Joshua Sproule and Amina Karcic under the academic supervision of Professor Heather Douglas.

Click here to view paper

Productivity Commission - 5 June 2014

Productivity Commission, in response to its draft report on Access to Justice Arrangements (submission two) 
Click here to view submission

Productivity Commission - 4 November 2013

Productivity Commission, on its Inquiry into Access to Justice Arrangements (submission one) 
Click here to view submission

Transitioning into Adulthood: The Impact of the Law when a young person with autism spectrum disorder transitions into adulthood

A report prepared for and on behalf of Autism Queensland, an independent not-for-profit organisation delivering services and support for people living with autism, by UQ Law students Julia Hegarty, Gabriela Roworth, and Georgia Williams.

Download the report (PDF, 372.7 KB)

Appearing in Court via Audio Visual Link: Issues for Young People - June 2016

This research paper was researched and written by law students Emma Page and Claire Robertson for and on behalf of the Youth Advocacy Centre.  It was produced by students through the Manning St Project (a partnership between the UQ Pro Bono Centre and Caxton Legal Centre).

Click here to view paper

In Business Program International Labour Organisation - January 2016

This paper was produced for and on behalf of the ILO following a research request from Mr Wade Bromley, Enterprise Development and Livelihoods Technical Officer (based in Bangkok, Thailand). It is intended to assist the ILO in its implementation of the In Business program by providing an explanation of general principles of franchise law, the possible legal and regulatory frameworks, including in-country laws, potential barriers and challenges and finally, recommendations to the ILO including an alternate means for operationalizing the program to facilitate various stakeholders who might otherwise be resistant to such a product.

The paper was researched and written by senior law students Magan Goh, Ryan Halverson and Victoria Taylor-Philip under the academic supervision of Associate Professor David Morrison.

Click here to view paper

Coordinating community legal information and publications – A discussion paper for Queensland legal assistance services - December 2015

A discussion paper produced by QAILS regarding the coordination of CLE (community legal education) materials in Queensland. This is a QAILS report, with research assistance provided by UQ law students Julian Ladd and Rebecca Rutland.

Click here to view paper

Delays within the Mental Health Act in Queensland: section 238 reports - July 2013

A research report prepared for Queensland Advocacy Inc. on delays with the production of psychiatric reports under the Mental Health Act 2000 (Qld), commonly known as 'section 238 reports'. Authors Anna Fanelli, Sara Fouhy and Mai-Ning Wu, students of the Manning St Project (a partnership between the UQ Pro Bono Centre and Caxton Legal Centre).

(PDF, 250.5 KB)Click here to view report

YAC Tiktok Video channel 

YAC offers free, confidential legal and social assistance in Queensland to young people and their families. Legal concepts and rules are often difficult to understand so a team of UQ Law Students volunteered with YAC to establish the YAC TikTok page. The law student volunteers conceptualised, wrote, starred in and filmed TikTok videos which are engaging, on trend and importantly which communicate important legal rules to young people in an accessible way. 

Visit the YAC Tiktok page

Human Rights Case Notes

The UQ Human Rights Case Law Project is an initiative of the UQ School of Law and Caxton Legal Centre Inc. The aim of this project is to ensure that practitioners, researchers, students and members of the public have easy access to all published cases that refer to the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld).

View the database

Case Review: Police Disciplinary Matters Proceeding through the QCAT

This paper was researched and authored by UQ law students Robyn Schermer, Famin Ahmed, Loretta Benson and Sophie Blatcher for and on behalf of Stephen Keim SC (Barrister-at-Law).

Download the report (PDF, 551 KB)

Strategic Plan 2022-2025

After a challenging two years working through the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are looking forward to the next phase in the Pro Bono Centre’s development. What we have learned from the pandemic is that our students and our stakeholders, particularly the community legal sector, are highly adaptive and innovative. Despite the disruptions, our students and partners continued to provide essential legal services to those most in need. We intend to use these lessons to develop new and effective programs reaching more students and supporting more organisations and legal partners over the term of this strategic plan.

UQ Pro Bono Centre Strategic Plan 2022-2025

Strategic Plan 2018-2021

This the second long-term plan for the UQ Pro Bono Centre following its inaugural 2014 – 2017 Strategic Plan. Like its predecessor, this Strategic Plan is the culmination of many discussions with stakeholders about where the Centre has come from, what it has achieved, and where it ought to focus its efforts in future. We thank the many stakeholders whose views and ideas have informed the development of this high level document.

UQ Pro Bono Centre Strategic Plan 2018-2021

Strategic Plan 2014-2017

The UQ Pro Bono Centre also believes that the most effective pro bono work occurs in partnership with other agencies, and the development of this strategic plan has prompted us to reflect on the partnerships that we already enjoy, as well as those which we hope to develop in the coming three years.
This Strategic Plan was developed in consultation with students and staff at the Law School who are actively involved in the Centre’s work.

UQ Pro Bono Centre Strategic Plan 2014-2017

UQ Pro Bono Centre Constitution

The Constitution outlines the Centre's objectives, activities, and governance structures. 

UQ Pro Bono Centre Constitution