Researching the law

This guide will help you learn about doing legal research, finding cases, legislation and commentary about the law on a subject or topic. You will also find a useful introduction to the Australian legal system.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are kindly advised that this website includes images, sounds and names of people who have passed.

All users should be aware that some topics or historical content may be culturally sensitive, offensive or distressing, and that some images may contain nudity or are of people not yet identified. Certain words, terms or descriptions may reflect the author's/creator's attitude or that of the period in which they were written, but are now considered inappropriate in today's context.

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How laws are made - Parliament

The law governs our lives from the day we are born to the day we die. So where do our laws come from?  This 10 minute video explains how parliaments make law, explaining the process of a Bill to an Act, how legislation changes over time, why the Commonwealth makes some laws and the states others, and delegated legislation such as regulations.

Developed by LIAC, State Library of NSW.

Also available in captioned format.