Government bodies

Secretariat for Legal Affairs, Organization of American States

The Secretariat for Legal Affairs forms part of the Organization for American States (OAS) providing advice and legal services to the OAS in the field of public international law and private international law. The OAS is a regional forum for dialogue and cooperation on political, economic and social issues in the Americas. The site explains the work of the Inter-American Specialized Conferences on Private International Law (CIDIP) who produce international instruments such as conventions, protocols, uniform documents and model laws which are provided on the site.

Trademark and Patent Assignments on the Web

The Trademark Assignments and Patent Assignments on the Web databases are provided by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and made freely available on their website. The trademark database provides information on ownership of trademarks from 1955 to date and patent information is available from 1980 onwards. The database can be searched using a range of criteria including registration or serial number and by assignor or assignee name, applicant name or registrant name.

First-Tier Tribunal - Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND)

The First-Tier Tribunal -Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) forms part of the Tribunals Service and hears appeals from parents of children with special educational needs against decisions made by local education authorities (LEAs) regarding their children's education. The Tribunal was previously know as the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST). The site has sections aimed at parents and LEAs providing guidance on how to appeal, facts and figures about the Tribunal and information on the role and powers of the Tribunal.

National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council

Website of the National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council of Australia whose role is to advise "the Commonwealth Attorney-General on the development of high quality, economic and efficient ways of resolving disputes without the need for a judicial decision". There is background information about NADRAC including workplans, annual reports and a copy of NADRAC's charter which are all available to download in a variety of formats. A selection of free resources explaining the ADR process are also available along with statistics on ADR in Australia.

Australian Human Rights Commission

Website of the Australian Human Rights Commission, a government body set up in 1986 to protect human rights and equal opportunities in Australia. The site describes the work of the Commission providing links to relevant legislation, details of its functions and powers and profiles of the Commissioners. Submissions on various issues to State Parliaments, Courts, Inquiries and the United Nations are made available in full text online.

Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions

Website of the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in Australia whose primary role is to prosecute offences against Commonwealth law. The site explains the role and the organisation of the DPP and provides a copy of the Corporate Plan. Annual reports back to 1998/99 are available online along with the Prosecution Policy of the Commonwealth, the Statement on Disclosure and links to relevant legislation. The site also includes profiles of current and past Directors.

Residential Institutions Redress Board

Website of the Residential Institutions Redress Board, an Irish statutory body which pays compensation to people who were abused as children in industrial schools, reformatories and other institutions subject to state regulation or inspection. The site has information about applying for redress, including forms and details of hearing procedures. A PDF copy of the Residential Institutions Redress Act, 2002 and relevant regulations is provided.

Tasmania Law Reform Institute

The Tasmania Law Reform Institute is based at the University of Tasmania undertaking "law reform work and research on topics proposed by the Government, the community, the University and the Institute itself." The website has information about the establishment of the Law Reform Institute and an overview of the history of law reform in Tasmania. There is also information about work currently in progress at the Institute. Reports of completed projects are made available on the site in PDF format.

New South Wales Land and Environment Court

The New South Wales Land and Environment Court (LEC) is a specialist court dealing with environmental, development, building and planning disputes. There is information about the court including a list of judges and commissioners and a selection of information sheets which can be downloaded in Word or HTML. The site includes information about the LEC's jurisdiction and provides links to full-text laws that grant the Court jurisdiction.

Family Law Council

Website of the Australian Family Law Council, a statutory body set up to advise the Attorney-General. The site provides information about the work of Council and makes available its reports, discussion papers, Letters of Advice to the Attorney General and other publications.

Subscribe to Government bodies