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Principles of the Rule of Law
Commentary on Hot Topics
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Court Education Program
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At its most basic level, the rule of law is the concept that both the government and citizens know the law and obey it.
Recent Blog & News
Stories of First Fleet, Susannah and Henry Kable, convicts on First Fleet and the first Civil Case in New South Wales and how principle of equality before the law protected their rights
Discussion on the legal realities of the Voice, featuring two legal experts, Professor Greg Williams on NO side of the voice debate, and Chris Merritt on the YES side. The Debate can be found at https://youtu.be/AULx4WKDkPY. This document outlines the points made by both experts during the debate.
This lecture is named in honour of the founder of Speed and Stracey Lawyers and the Rule of Law Education Centre, Robin Speed OAM, who passed away in February 2023. The Robin Speed Memorial Lecture will be held annually to coincide with the anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta on 15 June.
It is not widely understood that the investigations and lawsuits brought about as a result of the R v Lehrmann (‘Britney Higgins case’) have directly resulted from a disregard of the rule of law in connection with that case.
Professional Development for Legal Studies Teachers- An interview with Margaret Cunneen SC where she provides contemporary examples based upon her extensive experience within the criminal justice system including her time not only in the prosecution of high-profile cases, such as Skaf and the Butcher of Bega, Graeme Reeves, but also in defence of many accused persons
The Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu undertook a judicial overhaul under the guise of a proposed reform. The reforms had two major changes. First they would give politicians greater power to select judges. Second, the reforms would permit the Israeli parliament to overrule the judiciary.
Arguments for Voting No on First Nations Voice to Parliament at Referendum. The Case for No on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. Includes changes to be made to ensure equality before the law
Presentation to the NSW Legal Studies Association Conference 2023 on Defamation, Law Reform and Social Media
About Us
Rule of Law Education Centre was formed in 2009 and is an independent, politically non-partisan, gift deductible entity formed to uphold the rule of law in Australia. The Centre educates and informs about how the Magna Carta and subsequent rule of law principles have impacted and contributed to the history, culture and legal processes of Australia and to strengthen the rule of law and human rights through education.
Why the rule of law and Magna Carta are relevant today
The rule of law is an idea that all people, including those in power, should be ruled by the law and be willing to live by and obey its expectations. These important ideals come from a period 800 years ago, when King John of England was forced to agree to the terms and conditions of a Great Charter, later to become known as the Magna Carta.
These clauses were based on the expectation that everyone, including the King, would be ruled by the law and abide by it, as well as deliver justice in accordance with the law.
The following principles are fundamental to the rule of law
- All people are ruled by the law
- The law is clear, known, and enforced
- The judicial system is independent and resolves disputes in a fair and
public manner - All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty
- Checks and balances such as the separation of powers, limit the use of
government power
Where there is no rule of law, arbitrary rule can take over in the form of authoritarianism or anarchy. Important checks and balances are notably absent under these conditions encouraging corruption and violence, resulting in dangerous and unpredictable societies.
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