Australia has no Bill of Rights. It has not followed the lead set by countries with which it has common historical, institutional and doctrinal common bonds - New Zealand, UK, Canada and South Africa. European countries through the ECHR and the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights also have comparable legislative statements, as does the US and Japan. Has human rights legislation made a real difference to civil liberties in the criminal justice environment - in police investigations, criminal prosecutions and criminal trials? This course will focus on issues of interest and use research workshops to develop, with guidance, publishable research essays. Subject to feasibility students may be able to collaborate with students in Law Schools in other jurisdictions (using WebCT).