Professor Stapleton’s research interests lie in tort, compensation schemes and general legal reasoning.
In recent years, Jane’s research has focused on the concept of causation as it operates in common law legal systems. This work was specifically relied upon by the panel (chaired by David Ipp) that reviewed negligence law for the nine Australian governments. The resultant civil liability legislation in all Australian jurisdictions adopts her structural approach to this foundational legal concept.
Similarly, her causation work was influential in the re-structuring of the Restatement of Torts of the American Law Institute (ALI).
Jane’s work on the duty of care, addressed primarily to Bench and Bar, has been widely influential at both levels. Her work is frequently relied upon by the highest courts across the common law world as well as public policy bodies such as Law Commissions.
The quality and impact of Jane’s research has been recognized by award of the Oxford degree of Doctor of Civil Law; election as a Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy; the 2013 bestowal by the American Association of Law Schools’ Prosser Award; appointment as an Honorary Bencher of Gray’s Inn; and appointment to the ALI Council (the only foreign Council Member).
Appointments
- Visiting Professor, Harvard Law School (2012)
- Arthur Goodhart Visiting Professor of Legal Science, University of Cambridge (2011-12)
- Visiting Fellow, St John’s College, Cambridge (2011-12)
- Visiting Professor, Columbia Law School (2007)
- Member of the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford (2003-)
- Ernest E. Smith Professor of Law, University of Texas, School of Law (2002-)
- Professor of Comparative Private Law, European University Institute (2001)
- Legal Research Foundation Visiting Fellow, University of Auckland (2001)
- Arhens Visiting Professor of Tort Law, Washburn Law School, Kansas (2000)
- Statutory Visiting Professor in Law, University of Oxford (2000-)
- Research Professor of Law, The Australian National University (1997-)
- Reader in Law, University of Oxford (1996-97)
- Estates Bursar, Balliol College, Oxford (1996-97)
- Special Lectureship, University of Oxford (1995-96)
- Academic Visitor, University of Sydney Law School (1993)
- Fellow and Tutor in Law, Balliol College, Oxford; CUF Lecturer, University of Oxford (1987-97)
- Lecturer, Trinity College, Oxford (1985-86)
- Lecturer, University of Sydney Law School (1985)
- Legal/Senior Legal Officer, Australian Attorney-General’s Department (1981-84)
- Postdoctoral Researcher (Dudley Williams' Group), University of Cambridge (1977)
- Visiting Doctoral Scholar, Warwick University (1976-77)
