Administrative and Constitutional Law & Human Rights
About this NPA
The Administrative and Constitutional Law and Human Rights National Practice Area (NPA) comprises:
- matters concerning the judicial review of decisions and conduct involving Commonwealth enactments and powers on grounds relating to the legality, rather than the merits, of the decision, including judicial review applications:
- pursuant to s 39B of the Judiciary Act 1903 (Judiciary Act)
- under the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (ADJR Act)
- under ss 476A and 476B(3) of the Migration Act 1958
- appeals on questions of law from the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal and the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT)
- complaints about unlawful discrimination no longer being dealt with by the Australian Human Rights Commission
- matters concerning the Australian Constitution.
Latest Judgments
- 18 Aug 2025:
BQD18 v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2025] FCA 849
MIGRATION – appeal from Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Div 2) dismissal of an application for judicial review of a decision of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal – where Tribunal affirmed the decision of a delegate of the Minister refusing the grant of a Temporary Protection Visa – whether Tribunal erred in referring to…
Judge: SARAH C DERRINGTON J - 15 Aug 2025:
Hendry v State of Western Australia (No 2) [2025] FCA 956
PRACTICE AND PROCEEDURE - proposed summary dismissal of first respondent's strike out application - orders also sought to regulate respondents' communication with witnesses and third parties - stay of proceeding - related criminal proceeding - close correspondence between issues - risk of prejudice to first respondent's defence in criminal…
Judge: JACKSON J - 14 Aug 2025:
McGinn v High Court of Australia (No 5) [2025] FCA 975
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – adjournment application – where applicant’s medical certificate given minimal weight – overarching purpose – application dismissed HIGH COURT AND FEDERAL COURT – whether appropriate to make vexatious proceedings order against applicant pursuant to s 37AO of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) – where nine sets of …
Judge: JACKMAN J
Latest Speeches & Papers
- 6 Aug 2025:
Literature, lawyers and liberty
Remarks to the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Australia Masterclass, Sydney
- 7 Feb 2025:
State and Federal Courts on Constitutional Law in 2024
Paper delivered at G+T Centre of Public Law Constitutional Law Conference 2025, Sydney
- 25 Nov 2024:
How the Administrative Review Tribunal supports vulnerable parties
Speech by Justice Kyrou, President of the Administrative Review Tribunal, at the International Association of Refugee and Migration Judges Asia Pacific Chapter Conference
Related links
Interpreters & Translators
The Australian Government's Translating and Interpreting Service can supply telephone or on-site interpreting.
It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is accessible from anywhere in Australia for the cost of a local call by telephoning 131 450.
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Practice Notes
Forms & Rules
The key forms and rules for commencing proceedings are:
Administrative Law:
- An application for judicial review under ss 39B(1) and (1A) the Judiciary Act:
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- An application for judicial review under the ADJR Act:
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- An appeal on a question of law from the Administrative Review Tribunal, Superannuation Complaints Tribunal or National Native Title Tribunal:
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Constitutional Law:
- An application arising under the Australian Constitution or its interpretation:
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Human Rights:
- An application for unlawful discrimination under the Australian Human Rights Commission Act 1986 (Cth)
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Legislation
Administrative & Constitutional Law
- Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act
- Judiciary Act 1903 (Cth)
- Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth)
- Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 (Cth)
Human Rights
Self-Represented Litigants
If you are starting a matter or a person has started a matter against you and you do not have legal representation and are conducting the matter and acting for yourself then you are called a self-represented litigant.
The Court has developed a number of resources to assist litigants including:
