Welcome to the Australian Academy of Law

The Australian Academy of Law comprises elected individuals of exceptional distinction in the discipline of law who are committed to the advancement of that discipline and to justice according to law in Australia.

The objects of the Academy are to:

• Advance the discipline of law;
• Establish scholarships and research grants;
• Promote excellence in legal scholarship, research, education, and the administration of justice;
• Promote law reform;
• Promote ethical conduct and professional responsibility;
• Enhance the understanding and observance of the rule of law;
• Provide a forum for collaboration and constructive debate amongst all branches of the legal community.

Membership is by invitation by the Board of Directors following nomination by an existing Fellow, together with a Seconder, and consideration and recommendation by the Membership Committee. Fellows are invited from the practising profession, from legal academia and from the judiciary to facilitate collaboration and constructive debate amongst all sections of the legal community. The Academy thereby provides a bridge between all sections of the legal community.

It is important that Fellows consider from time to time other distinguished lawyers who are suitable for nomination as a Fellow. All Fellows are encouraged to look broadly to nominate candidates and to consider candidates from diverse backgrounds. Nominations should be forwarded to the AAL Secretariat by 31 August each year. The AAL expects to elect new Fellows by the end of each calendar year.

Nominations should be forwarded to the AAL Secretariat by 31 August each year. Further information can be accessed here and the Nomination form can be found here.

The AAL expects to elect new Fellows by the end of each calendar year.

The AAL's 2025 Annual Report has now been published and is to be found here.

ANNUAL REPORT 2025

The AAL has now published the

Annual Report 2025

View Annual  Reports here

Publication of the proceedings of the joint event with the AIJA and the ALJ: 

Enduring Courts in Changing Times

Celebrating the 2024 Bicentenaries of the Supreme Courts of New South Wales and Tasmania.

Published by the Australian Academy of Law, the book contains the papers and commentaries of a conference held on 8 to 10 September 2023 to mark these Bicentenaries.

View ordering details

LATEST NEWS AND EVENTS 

Australian Academy of Law
First Nations Scholarship 2026

The amount of the Scholarship in 2026 was A$6000..

Media Release regarding the winner, Amos Taylor, pictured below, is here

Australian Academy of Law
Research Grants Scheme 2026

Applications have closed for the Australian Academy of Law (AAL) Research Grant for 2026. 

The amount available for this financial year was A$25,000.

Full details of the 2026 Research Grant Recipients will be announced after 31 May 2026.

Full details of the 2025 Research Grant Recipients are here.