Justice and rights are fundamentally important values in the law. They underpin much of the conceptual framework for more specific legal doctrines and principles; and they also provide aspirational goals for the ongoing development and reform of the law. In justice, Rights and Law students undertake a critical examination of these fundamental legal values, from a jurisprudential or philosophical perspective. The topics covered include: theories of social justice, theories of 'just war', remedying historical injustices, mercy and retributive justice, restorative justice, procedural fairness, the nature, limits and possibilities of human rights, animal rights and the right to disobey the law. Students will engage with these topics through reading and critiquing a combination of academic writings and real world examples from case law, legislation, policy debates, and history.

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