Stuckey, Michael --- "By the Dean of the College of Law and Justice" [2017] VicULawJJl 1; (2017) 7(1) Victoria University Law and Justice Journal i

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FOREWORD

BY PROFESSOR MICHAEL STUCKEY

I am delighted to introduce the 7th edition of the Victoria University Law and Justice Journal, by way of this foreword. Shortly after commencing as Dean of the College of Law and Justice at Victoria University I was invited to meet with the Board of the Journal, and I was greatly impressed by its vision and dedication. The Journal represents exactly the kind of value and esteem which university legal education can contribute to the worlds of professional practice and academia.

This issue is comprised of six articles and one case note, in one of our largest editions yet. In preparation, it is significant to note that we received a very large number of submissions, signifying that VULJ has cemented itself as an esteemed student run journal.

In this issue we will be publishing our first case note, which is a format we have never published before. Gregor Urbas and Michael Harris report on the 2016 High Court cases of GW and RP, dealing with children in the criminal justice system.

The six main articles included, cover a variety of important topics of interest to academic scholars, students of law, and legal practitioners. I am delighted to introduce an article by my predecessor as Dean of the College of Law and Justice, Professor Andrew Clarke entitled: ‘Developing a KPI for measuring staff wellbeing: The implications for Australian law’. This affords me the opportunity, personally and on behalf of the University, to publicly acknowledge and thank Andrew for his service and contributions as Dean.

The ensuing authors set an acute analytical tone in their treatment of diverse foci, including: Nigel Stobbs’s article on the China-Australia extradition agreements; Brad Jessup’s work on Victorian environmental law; a thoughtful questioning of whether Pakistan should adopt the CISG by Bruno Zeller and Sarmad Ali; dispute settlement issues under the TPP in relation to tobacco products by Matthew Rimmer; and Jason Donnelly’s article on the rule of law and migration legislation.

The Journal is also pleased to be publishing the 7th Annual Michael Kirby Oration. 2017 saw the Oration presented by former President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Professor Gillian Triggs, on the topic ‘Overreach of Executive and Ministerial Discretion: A Threat to Australian Democracy’.

Of particular note is the fact that the editorial team interviewed the outgoing Chief Justice of the (Federal) Family Court, Diana Bryant, and learnt about her advice on people entering into family law, her views on legal education as well as her fascinating hobbies including bird watching. The interview is a distinctive feature of the Journal, and is certainly recommended reading.

Professor Michael Stuckey

Dean, College of Law and Justice

Victoria University