Overview

The Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies (CCCS) is one of the Law School's specialist research centres and was established in the Faculty of Law in 1987. The CCCS undertakes and promotes research on the constitutional law and government of Australia and of other countries and provides a focal point for scholars and practitioners interested in these areas. The Centre seeks to focus greater attention on Australian constitutional law and government and of other countries whose systems are most relevant to Australia. This is reflected in the Centre's current objectives which it pursues through its many activities.

The Centre is the current Secretariat for the Australian Association of Constitutional Law (AACL) which was formed in 1998 and is an incorporated, non-profit body funded by membership subscriptions. The Association aims to promote the discipline of constitutional law through interaction, communication, exchange and debate. Key activities include annual national conferences and an annual general meeting, State and Territory seminars, events and information sessions, participation in the International Association of Constitutional Law (IACL), receipt of a quarterly email newsletter and the development and maintenance of a constitutional law web-site. For information on membership of the AACL please click here.

The Director of the Centre is Professor Adrienne Stone and its staff are drawn from the Law School's faculty.

Objectives

The objectives of the Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies are:

To examine and evaluate the Australian constitutional system and to contribute actively to the debate on the Australian system of government.
To examine and advise on the constitutional and legal framework for relations between levels of government, in theory and practical operation.
To introduce comparative constitutional concepts and knowledge about comparative constitutional practices into the Australian constitutional debate.
To develop and promote a sound understanding of the constitutional systems of countries in the neighbouring region, both in underlying and practical operation.
To contribute to the debate on constitutional issues elsewhere in the world in the light of the experience of Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.
To provide a public and specialist resource on constitutional and comparative constitutional issues.

The Centre pursues these objectives through its activities - research, teaching, information exchange, resource centre, consultancies and research collaboration.

The Director of the Centre is Professor Adrienne Stone and its members are drawn from the Law School's faculty. Its Advisory Board consists of leading Australian and international public lawyers.