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
- 4 Jul 2025:
Kelly v Commonwealth of Australia as represented by Services Australia (formerly the Department of Human Services) (No 2) [2025] FCA 736
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – application by the respondents for the proceeding to be dismissed pursuant to ss 37P(5) and/or (6)(a) of the Federal Court Act 1976 (Cth) and rr 5.23(1)(b) and 2(a) of the Federal Court Rules 2011 (Cth) – where there have been extraordinary delays in preparing the matter for hearing – where the applicant is in default of…
Judge: KENNETT J - 4 Jul 2025:
GCU18 v Minister for Immigration and Citizenship [2025] FCA 727
MIGRATION – appeal from decision of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2) (“FCFCOA”) – where primary judge dismissed application made out of time for judicial review of Administrative Appeals Tribunal decision – where primary judge refused to make an order under s 477(2) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) (“Act”) – where…
Judge: SNADEN J - 3 Jul 2025:
Yasmin v Commonwealth of Australia (No 3) [2025] FCA 732
REPRESENTATIVE PROCEEDINGS – administration of settlement distribution scheme – application for approval of claims assessment methodology – application for approval of costs of administration – application granted
Judge: HORAN J
Latest Speeches & Papers
- 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
- 8 Nov 2024:
Diversity and accessibility in the ART
Speech delivered by Justice Kyrou, President of the Administrative Review Tribunal, at the Asian Australian Lawyers Association National Cultural Diversity Summit
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:
