Blackshield and Williams Australian Constitutional Law and Theory
By: George Williams, Sean Brennan, Andrew Lynch
This is the new and fully updated edition of the acclaimed and authoritative book on Australian constitutional law. Fresh material reflects the contemporary approach of the High Court including its emphasis on statutory interpretation as a tool of constitutional analysis. The book has also been fully revised and updated for major High Court and overseas decisions, including McCloy v New South Wales, Williams v Commonwealth (No 2), the Brexit Case and Plaintiff M68/2015 v Minister for Immigration. Always 'much more than a casebook' as Sir Anthony Mason said of a previous edition, the book also presents carefully selected extracts from a broad range of writers and commentators. As the reviewer for the Law Institute Journal said of the most recent edition, this book is 'a great resource for practitioners wanting an authoritative guide to Australian constitutional law' and a 'must-have for law students who would like more depth of analysis'.Key Features of the New EditionLatest Decisions: The text incorporates full analysis of the High Court's decisions in the important citizenship case (Re Canavan) and right to protest case (Brown v Tasmania) both handed down in late October 2017.A new chapter on statutory interpretation and its connection to Australian constitutional law.Substantial revisions to the chapter on constitutional change to take account of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and related developments up to late 2017.Fresh perspectives on constitutional interpretation.Consolidation of the material on the implied freedom of political communication into a single chapter, offering a more streamlined account of the doctrine's development.Major updates to the chapters on the High Court and judicial power.Fully revised and updated for every major constitutional case since the 6th edition, including Commonwealth v Australian Capital Territory (Same Sex Marriage Case), Unions NSW v New South Wales, Plaintiff S156/2013 v Minister for Immigration, Kuczborski v Queensland, Williams v Commonwealth (No 2), Plaintiff M76/2013 v Minister for Immigration, Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, Communications Union v Queensland Rail, Tajjour v New South Wales, McCloy v New South Wales, Australian Communications and Media Authority v Today FM, Duncan v Independent Commission Against Corruption, NAAJA v Northern Territory, Plaintiff M68/2015 v Minister for Immigration, Day v Australian Electoral Officer (SA), Alqudsi v The Queen, Murphy v Electoral Commissioner, Cunningham v Commonwealth, R (Miller) v Secretary of State (Brexit case), Plaintiff S195/2016 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Re Culleton (No 2), Re Day (No 2), Knight v Victoria, and Graham v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection.Also available is the Abridged edition, click here for details.
AI Overview
Comprehensive Overview of "Blackshield and Williams Australian Constitutional Law and Theory"
Key Authors and Editions
The book "Blackshield and Williams Australian Constitutional Law and Theory" has been authored by leading constitutional law scholars, with the most recent editions featuring contributions from George Williams, Sean Brennan, Andrew Lynch, Rebecca Ananian-Welsh, and Peta Stephenson. The book has undergone several revisions, with the latest edition being the 8th edition.
Key Themes
Contemporary Approach of the High Court:
- The book reflects the contemporary approach of the High Court, emphasizing statutory interpretation as a tool of constitutional analysis.
Implied Constitutional Rights:
- It includes a greater analysis of implied constitutional rights, which is a significant theme in Australian constitutional law.
Recent High Court and Overseas Decisions:
- The book is fully revised and updated to include the most recent High Court and overseas decisions, such as NZYQ v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs (2023), Benbrika v Minister for Home Affairs (2023), and other notable cases.
Evolution of Constitutional Scholarship:
- The book incorporates a wide range of constitutional scholarship, making it a valuable resource for practitioners and scholars alike.
Plot Summary
The book provides a comprehensive commentary and materials on Australian constitutional law and theory. It covers various aspects of constitutional law, including the interpretation of the Australian Constitution, the role of statutory interpretation, and the evolution of implied constitutional rights. The book is structured to include detailed analysis of key cases and recent developments in the field, making it a practical guide for legal professionals and students.
Critical Reception
Authoritative Reference:
- The book is widely regarded as an authoritative reference on Australian constitutional law. It is praised for its insightful commentary and incorporation of a wide range of constitutional scholarship.
Useful Addition to Any Chambers’ Library:
- The 7th edition was described as a great book that would make a useful addition to any chambers’ library, offering remarkable value for money at its recommended retail price of $110.
Thoroughly Rewritten:
- The fifth edition has been thoroughly rewritten, with each chapter thoroughly updated to reflect the latest developments in Australian constitutional law.
Publication Details
- Authors: George Williams, Sean Brennan, Andrew Lynch, Rebecca Ananian-Welsh, and Peta Stephenson.
- Publisher: The Federation Press.
- Edition: 8th edition.
- Publication Date: The latest edition is not specified, but it includes recent decisions up to 2023.
- Price: $50 (40% off RRP).
In summary, "Blackshield and Williams Australian Constitutional Law and Theory" is a comprehensive and authoritative book that provides detailed analysis of Australian constitutional law and theory. It is widely regarded as a valuable resource for legal practitioners and scholars, reflecting the contemporary approach of the High Court and incorporating recent developments in constitutional scholarship.