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Law

Key Legal Databases

There are a number of databases available at Macquarie University Library for researching legal issues.  Throughout the Library Guides on this page you will become familiar with the main four databases that are commonly used and have a long history publishing legal research materials.

Key legal databases
WestlawAU logo Westlaw AU Includes the case citator FirstPoint, the encylopaedia Laws of Australia, as well as a range of law reports, unreported judgments, journals and commentary.
LexisNexisAU logo Lexis Advance Pacific Includes the case citator CaseBase, the Encyclopaedia Halsbury's Laws of Australia, as well as a range of law reports, unreported judgments, journals and commentary.
CCH IntelliConnect Logo CCH IntelliConnect Includes a range of subject-specific law reports, journals, commentaries and newsletters.​
Austlii logo AustLII Includes an extensive collection of unreported judgments, legislation (including point-in-time NSW Acts), treaties, journals and law reform reports.

Legal Resources Online

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Annotators

Visit the Laws of Other Nations page on this Guide here

Australia's Legal System

In Australia, there are two parts to the legal system:

  • Legislation - made by Parliament
  • Common Law (also known as Case Law or Judge-made law):
    • where a judge will interpret the legislation if it is unclear; or
    • if there is no legislation, make a decision based on prior cases (known as precedents).

Check out the material below to broaden your outlook on Australia's legal system.

Law At Macquarie

Get involved in activities within the Law School and meet like-minded people.