Research impact tag: Law - Research Impact at UWA

Catching corporate fraud: a Systems Intentionality approach

December 1, 2025/in 48 - Law and Legal Studies, Economy, Law, Public policy, Stories /by Rosanna Marchesani

Understanding a person’s ‘state of mind’ is important when determining their legal responsibility for harmful acts. Historically, a corporation is treated as an artificial legal person under the law. But its ‘state of mind’ (such as intentions, knowledge, or recklessness) has been linked to individuals, such as directors or key employees. Professor Elise Bant is an expert in Private Law and Commercial Regulation at The University of Western Australia Law School. Her model of ‘Systems Intentionality’ has recently been adopted in the High Court of Australia, as a new and more effective way of determining how corporations ‘think’. This game-changing, world-leading Australian innovation provides a principled, practical and powerful way of holding corporations to account, for the benefit of humanity.

Comic Book Contracts

October 26, 2020/in 48 - Law and Legal Studies, Economy, Law, Public policy, Social, Stories /by Scott Mitchell

We enter into contracts all the time, without knowing it, but most people will admit to not reading or understanding the fine print. A collaborative team of researchers led by UWA Professor of Law, Camilla Andersen have found an alternative to navigating through paragraphs of legalese. They have created comic book contracts, which include a set of pictures with some text, designed to drive behaviour so that disputes do not arise. This exciting visual direction for legal contracts is also providing industry with time and money savings, whilst providing better access to justice for users.

Enhancing Policy-Making and Public Dialogue on the Future of Cities

April 5, 2019/in 44 – Studies in Human Society, Arts, Business, Economy, EI Case study, Environment, Law, Public policy, Social /by Scott Mitchell

The University of Western Australia (UWA) has played a critical role in enhancing policy-making, public debate and progress on the future of Perth and Australian cities. An important part of this has been an innovative, longstanding partnership with the Committee for Perth. This partnership has focused on major urban policy concerns related to globalization, economic development, demographic change, urban liveability and social equality. This research stimulated debate across business, community, government and individuals about the future of cities. The partnership draws on an active and ongoing strategy of engagement with stakeholders. In addition, the partnership actively seeks to inform policy by improving the quality of evidence used by urban decision-makers.

Guiding Principles for states displaced by climate change

April 5, 2019/in 48 - Law and Legal Studies, Economy, EI Case study, Environment, Law, National security, Public policy, Social /by Scott Mitchell

The Peninsula Principles on Climate Displacement Within States is a policy framework designed to assist governments worldwide in dealing with people displaced by climate change. In addition to being the subject of books, articles and reports, the Peninsula Principles have been used to guide governmental and UN policy development on addressing climate displacement, provided an organising tool for community-based organisations and further influenced international actions on planned relocation for climate displaced communities.

Brightpath to learning

July 26, 2016/in Education, Law, Stories /by Scott Mitchell

Assessing student work in performance based learning areas is now much easier thanks to research developed out of The University of Western Australia and the subsequent formation of the company Pairwise. In collaboration with teachers and school associations, Pairwise has now successfully developed and commercialised the Brightpath approach, which is already being adopted in many schools across Western Australia.

Archive for category: Law