Research

Advancing CFLP research for industry-tailored solutions.

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Future focused research under CFLP will provide evidenced-based insights and tailored solutions to industry identified challenges and opportunities. This will continually update and improve the legal professional development curriculum. Our focus will be on how legal education and training can adapt to produce graduates and practitioners with the broad strategic, entrepreneurial and ethical skills needed to succeed in the legal roles of the future. 

Main areas of research:

  1. Leadership and Professional Skills.                                  
  2. Culture, Diversity, and Wellbeing.                                     
  3. Ethics and Regulation.
  4. AI and LegalTech.
  5. Access to Justice.

Publications

Recent reports and articles by members and collaborators of the Centre for the Future of the Legal Profession

Submission to the Victorian Law Reform Commission inquiry 

‘Artificial Intelligence in Victoria’s Courts and Tribunals’

Read here

Published 24 January 2025. Authored by Dr. Felicity BellVicki McNamaraProfessor Michael Legg, L Bennett Moses

Generative AI:  Uses and abuses in litigation

Gen-AI use in litigation is rapidly increasing, offering potential benefits while also introducing new complications

LSJ Online

Published Feb 2025. Authored by Vicki McNamara

Unmet legal needs and deregulation - Court of Conscience

'Addressing Unmet Legal Need - Is It Time to Deregulate Legal Services in Australia?'

UNSW Law Society Court of Conscience 81

Published Nov 2024. Co-authored by Professor Michael Legg and Vicki McNamara

The Ethics of Socio-Legal Research’ in Michael Martin, Bruce Smyth & Mandy Downing (eds)

The Routledge Handbook of Human Research Ethics and Integrity in the Australian Context

Published Oct 2024. Co-authored by Dr. Felicity Bell with Faith Gordon

What makes lawyers stay (and leave) law firms? 

This article identifies five key factors that young lawyers focus on in determining if they want to stay with a law firm, or leave.

Published Sep 2024. Co-authored Professor Michael LeggDr. Felicity Bell, Vicki McNamara 

Australasian Law Management Journal 

Australian Law Journal: “Fake it ‘til you Make it”

'Not with AI and the Courts: Lawyers’ Duties as Protections for the Administration of Justice’

Published September 2024. Authored by Professor Michael Legg

(subscription to Australian Law Journal required to access this article)

Legal Design in a Small Australian Law Firm 

'You Don't Often Create Solutions In The Law' 

Published Aug 2024. Author Dr. Felicity Bell

Legal Design Journal 

Australian Law Journal: Technology and the Law

'Generative AI, Fake Law and Professional Guidance'  

Published June 2024. Coauthored by Professor Michael Legg and Vicki McNamara

(subscription to Australian Law Journal required to access this article)

AI Decision Making and the Courts

A guide for Judges, Tribunal Members and Court Administrators 

Revised and Republished December 2023