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The proposal for an Aboriginal Law Research Unit within the Faculty of Law was initially discussed at the 4 February 1981 meeting of the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee. Final approval for the establishment of the Unit was given by the Vice-Chancellor on 23 April 1981. The first Chair of the Unit's steering committee was Professor Garth Nettheim (file 034796). The initial functions of the Unit included conducting and fostering research concerning Aboriginal people and the law; the building of a resource base on such issues; publications; clearing-house and co-ordination activity; conference and seminar activity; the development of educational programs; 'back-up' support on legal issues to Aboriginal communities and organisations and their legal advisers; developing links with comparable bodies in other countries (S690). At the 12 February 1986 meeting of the Vice-Chancellor's Advisory Committee, the creation of an Aboriginal Law Centre was approved to take over the role of the Aboriginal Law Research Unit. Professor Garth Nettheim was appointed Director of the Centre. The Centre's aims were defined as a continuation of the Unit, focused within the following objectives: research; resources; publication; conferences & seminars; and teaching. It would be managed by the Director, who is responsible to the Dean of the Faculty of Law [034796]. The "resources" objective was removed following the 10 May 1997 meeting of the Centre's Advisory Committee, due to the development of the more appropriate Aboriginal Research and Resource Centre. The ARRC became the recipient of the Aboriginal Law Centre's resource collection once this objective was deleted. Professor Nettheim was also Chair of the Management Committee. At the 28 February 1991 meeting of the Management Committee, Professor Nettheim suggested that this body be renamed as an Advisory Council. It would meet less often, with a more strategic focus, and another Management Committee would be formed with a smaller membership that dealt with operations. This proposed structure was finalised in July and implemented in 1992. Also at the 28 February 1991 meeting, Professor Nettheim proposed to step down from his role as Director. John Halden "Hal" Wootten QC was appointed as a replacement from 1 August 1991, for a term of three years, but he only appears in the following year's Annual Report in this role. Wootten continued on the Management Committee, although no longer holding a position or office within the Committee. Nettheim resumed as Director. On 17 May 1995, Nettheim announced he not be able to continue in the role after 1995, due to the position expanding to the extent that a full-time Director was needed and the role was, at that point, unfunded [S2410]. George Villaflor stepped into the role for the last half of 1995 (and subsequently produced a Report on the Centre with recommendations in June 1996) but the minutes of the Faculty of Law 21 August 1996 note that Nettheim has again resumed the Director position. Peter Brock began as Co-ordinator of the Centre in January 1997. Nettheim continued as Director, but appears to have delegated management of operations to the newly created part time Co-ordinator role. Brock wrote to Deputy Vice-Chancellor Chris Fell on 8 May 1997 to seek approval for an expanded membership of the Advisory Committee of the Centre, greatly increasing representation across the law and Indigenous communities. This was in light of the recommendations in the "Centre Review Report" conducted by UNSW in November 1996 [034796]. The Management Committee agreed at the 19 February 1997 meeting to change the name of the Centre to the more inclusive "Indigenous Law Centre". The Advisory Committee approved the change at the 10 May 1997 meeting, and on 4 November 1997 the Academic Board gave its endorsement (resolution AB97/142). This was approved by the Vice-Chancellor on 11 November 1997. The Aboriginal Law Bulletin [S852] was produced by the Centre since its inception, with the first issue appearing in August 1981. The name was changed to the Indigenous Law Bulletin (in line with the Centre's name change) for the April 1997 issue. Aboriginal Law Notes was a newsletter produced by the Centre from July 1982 to October 1990. The Management Committee considered changing the Law Notes to a insert for the Law Bulletin prior to its final issue [20 September 1990]. The first issue of the Australian Indigenous Law Reporter was launched in November 1995, funded by the Law Society of New South Wales, and International Business Communications Pty Ltd (subsequently Prospect Media Pty Ltd). An Editoral Panel was convened for this project, and some staff worked in common across the quarterly Reporter and the more frequent Bulletin. During the 1990s, the Centre produced community education kits related to the landmark moment in Indigenous law, native title, following the High Court decisions in Mabo v Queensland (No 2) (1992) and Wik Peoples v Queensland (1996). A Community Education sub-committee was established in 1994, initially comprised of Garth Nettheim, Susan Varga and Jason Behrendt [S2410]. It is unclear how long he held the position, but Mick Dodson was Director for at least two years, from 1998 to 2000. Megan Davis was Director from 2006 to 2016. As of 2018, Dr Kyllie Cripps was Acting Director and Dr Leon Terrill was Research Director, The Steering Committee provided guidance to the directors. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - 23/04/1981-

The creation of the Faculty of Law was approved by Council on 13th July, 1964, under resolution 64/137. On 24 January 1966, the foundation chair of Law was created, with the apointee to also become dean of the faculty (resolution 66/15i). On 8 September 1969 Council appointed Professor John Halden Wootten to this position (resolution 69/155), with classes being offered from 1971. Originally the Faculty did not incorporate any Schools, but this was altered by Council on 24th January, 1972 (resolution 72/10) with the formation of the School of Law, which was co-extensive with the Faculty. The inaugural meeting of the Faculty took place on 9th February, 1971. In 2013, administered by Dean Professor David Dixon, the Faculty was comprised of the School of Law, the Australasian Legal Information Institute, the Diplomacy Training Program, the Social Justice Project and nine Centres. Subordinate agency: Board of Studies in Taxation (1990 - 2006) / Australian School of Taxation (ATAX) (2006 - 2010) - 25/08/1997 - 31/12/2010 Subordinate agency: Law Library Advisory Committee - 04/04/1978 Subordinate agency: School of Law - 24/01/1972 Subordinate agency: Teaching Committee of the School / Faculty of Law - 18/03/1975 - 06/04/1988 Subordinate agency: Curriculum Committee of the School / Faculty of Law - 18/03/1975 - 06/04/1988 Subordinate agency: Curriculum Review Committee of the Faculty of Law - 26/09/1978 Subordinate agency: Future Directions Task Force of the Faculty of Law - 17/08/1994 Subordinate agency: Planning Committee of the Faculty of Law - 13/08/1997 - 31/12/1998 Subordinate agency: Dean's Council of the Faculty of Law - 24/08/1998 Subordinate agency: Governance Working Party of the Faculty of Law - 29/07/1999 - 20/11/1999 Subordinate agency: Education Committee of the Faculty of Law - 10/02/2000 Subordinate agency: Gilbert and Tobin Centre of Public Law - 01/01/2001 Subordinate agency: Kingsford Legal Centre - 20/07/1981 Subordinate agency: Communications Law Centre - 09/05/1988 - 30/06/2005 Subordinate agency: Centre for Refugee Research - 02/02/1999 Subordinate agency: Aboriginal Law Research Unit (1981 - 1986) / Aboriginal Law Centre (1986 - 1997) / Indigenous Law Centre (1997 - ) - 23/04/1981 Subordinate agency: Human Rights Centre - 13/08/1986 - 29/01/1997 Subordinate agency: Australian Human Rights Centre (AHRC) - 19/06/1996 Subordinate agency: National Children's & Youth Law Centre (NCYLC) - 01/01/1993 Subordinate agency: Cyberspace Law and Policy Centre - 06/06/2000 Subordinate agency: European Law Centre (1996 - 2008) / Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Law (2008 - c. 2011) / Network for Interdisciplinary Studies of Law (c. 2011 - ) - 19/06/1996 Subordinate agency: Centre for the Study of Law and Technology - 29/02/1984 - 01/06/1992 Controlling Organisation: UNSW - c. 13/07/1964-

At its meeting of 26 July 2000 the Faculty of Law Standing Committee resolved LAW00/02 That it be recommended that the Academic Board recommend to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) that the Gilbert and Tobin Centre for Public Law be established in the Faculty of Law, as detailed in the document presented. (file No: 010858). In August the faculty received feedback from Professor Milbourne, then Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) suggesting amendments to its proposal. In September 2001 the faculty put forward an amended proposal taking into account comments on the original proposal; the appointment of a centre director and the establishment of centre infrastructure within the Faculty of Law in the mean time; and the establishment of the centre having received approval by the relevant faculty committee. At its meeting on 5 February 2002 the Academic Board considered the recommendation of the Committee of Research meeting held on 6 December 2001 and resolved AB02/8 (subject to the approval of the name by the Chancellor's Committee) That the Academic Board recommends to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) that the Gilbert and Tobin Centre for Public Law, be established in the Faculty of Law, as detailed in the documents presented. In accordance with the 'Principles and Procedures for the Establishment, Management and Review of Centres in the University of New South Wales' the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research) then recommended to the Vice-Chancellor that the centre be established. The Vice-Chancellor approved the centre on 14 February 2002. Following approval of the centre's name by the Chancellor's Committee Council at its meeting on 15 April 2002 resolved CL002/21 That in keeping with the Naming Policy for Facilities at the University of New South Wales, Council approve the name 'The Gilbert and Tobin Centre for Public Law' for the new Centre for Public Law established in the Faculty of Law. A centre director, the Anthony Mason Professor George Williams was appointed in December 2000 and the centre commenced operations. Legal firm, Gilbert and Tobin is the principal sponsor of the centre. The centre is led by the centre director and staffed by a team of leading public law scholars based at the faculty of Law at UNSW. An Advisory Committee and a Management Committee, chaired by the director of the Gilbert and Tobin Centre oversee the operations of the centre. In 2007 the Gilbert and Tobin Centre of Public Law in the faculty of Law plays a prominent, independent role in public debate on issues vital to Australia's future: including Bills of Rights, the reconciliation process and native title, and the challenges of responding to terrorism. The centre is a focal point for research into and discussion of important questions of public law for the academic, professional and wider community. The centre's associates, project directors and postgraduate students are engaged in research, teaching, media and consultancy work and events including conferences and seminars. An important aim of the Gilbert and Tobin Centre of Public Law is to forge links with the legal profession and with other groups and organisations interested or involved in the field of public law. It works with industry partners on projects designed to produce leading scholarship and raise community awareness in public law including administrative and constitutional law and related areas involving reform of the legal system including human rights, indigenous legal issues and electoral law. Partners include Gilbert and Tobin, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Electoral Council of Australia, Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Reconciliation Australia. Additionally, the Gilbert and Tobin Centre has close links to other bodies within the faculty of Law, namely: Australian Human Rights Centre and International Law and Policy Group. Controlling Organisation: UNSW - by 01/01/2001-

This series contains the Aboriginal / Indigenous Law Bulletins of the Aboriginal Law Research Unit / Aboriginal Law Centre / Indigenous Law Centre. The bulletin's name was changed in 1997 to reflect the change in name of the Centre. The bulletin's website (http://www.ilb.unsw.edu.au/about_us.html - accessed July, 2006), provides an outline of the bulletin's objectives: The ILB is a leading journal for accessible, accurate and timely information about Australia's Indigenous peoples and the law. A valuable resource to legal practitioners, advocates, policy-makers and researchers, our content covers emerging legislation, policy, case law, international developments as well as grass-root activism and the work of Indigenous communities and organisations. Some of the issues covered by the ILB are: native title land rights treaties sovereignty corrections and imprisonment stolen generations criminal justice discrimination human rights intellectual property cultural and heritage issues biodiversity and biopiracy international and comparative law A major aim of the ILB is to provide avenues for Indigenous people to inform debate on contemporary legal issues. It also provides a public forum for continuing dialogue on the legal and social injustices Indigenous peoples face in pursuit of the full realisation of their rights in Australia and throughout the world.

This series consists of the records of the Aboriginal Law Research Unit (1981 - 1986) / Aboriginal Law Centre (1986 - 1997) / Indigenous Law Centre (1997 - ). One file covers the time it operated under the name "Aboriginal Law Centre", showing industry liaison and planning for the community educational programs and kits that were produced in response to native title laws and is in general chronological order. Files 2-4 are from the same review, consisting of documents prepared for the review of the Centre by UNSW, background documents from the history of the Centre and the final review findings summary.

This series consists of the booklet leaflet collection of the Aboriginal Law Research Unit / Aboriginal Law Centre / Indigenous Law Centre. The material is typed and maintained in a manilla folder and includes booklets and leaflets on the work of the Unit / Centre.

This series consists of the Agendas, Minutes and Papers of the Aboriginal Law Centre (1986 - 1997) / Indigenous Law Centre (1997 - ) Management Committee (1989 - 2009) / Management Board (2010 - ). The agenda show the time, date, and location of meetings, and issues to be discussed. These are accompanied, in most cases, by any papers that were circulated to members prior to the meeting, such as reports or correspondence. Some holdings include post-meeting correspondence. The records are typed and are arranged in chronological order in folders. The minutes of the meeting are first, followed by the agenda and associated papers. Occasionally these papers contain one or more prior meeting's minutes, or minutes of the Advisory Commitee or other Aboriginal Law Centre / Indigenous Law Centre committees, such as those managing the publications of the Centre. This series is incomplete. There is only the minutes from one meeting in 1996, a substantial gap between 2000 and 2008.

This series consists of the subject files of the Dean of the Faculty of Law. The material is mainly typed and contained in manilla folders in alphabetical order. The items relate to numerous issues affecting the Faculty of Law, including the Indigenous Pre-Law Program, Aboriginal Research & Resource Centre, Asia-Australia Institute, faculty awards, scholarships & prizes, Australasian Legal Information Institute, Australian Network for Japanese Law, Continuing Legal Education Program, Diplomacy Training Program, East Timor Project Steering Group, European Court Internship, student fees & funding, Foundation Studies, General Education, Grade Distribution Policy, ceremonies & seminars, Honorary Degrees, Honours, Human Rights Centre, Indigenous Law Centre, John Hubert Plunkett Society, jubilee medallions, Kingsford Legal Centre, anniversary celebrations, Law building, faculty retreats, UNSW Law Journal, Law Society, faculty marketing, press clippings, Potsdam Australia Centre, courses, speeches, Unisearch Ltd and visiting fellowships. Currently the Archives only holds items from this series for periods covering law deans Garth Nettheim, Michael Chesterman, Paul Redmond, Leon Trakman and David Dixon.

This series consists of the annual reports of the Indigenous Law Centre. Each item is a typed volume on the happenings, research and changes within the Centre throughout the year. The Archives' holdings of this series are incomplete. Other years' reports can be found in 034786.

This series contains the newsletters of the Indigenous Law Centre (ILC). Each item outlines current happenings and activities occurring in the Centre.