Centre for Commercial Law

The ANU College of Law Centre for Commercial Law is a centre of excellence in private and government commercial law reform, advice and policy evaluation, and a leader in commercial law research and teaching. It also provides a national forum for academics, practitioners and regulators working in private and government commercial law.
Last updated date
Director(s)
Contact us
Research theme
Latest news
In the Media
High Court strikes blow to ‘backpacker tax’, in hit to budget bottom line
quoted in Sydney Morning Herald
Artist Cheryl Hodges has had work stolen countless times online, and she is on a mission to end the theft
interviewed by ABC News
Assessment at university
Michelle Worthington interviewed by The Canberra Classroom podcast
No, your entry to Bunnings isn't a human right enshrined in law, according to a legal expert
quoted in Business Insider Australia
Coronavirus restrictions could mean more risk-taking on our roads, but ACT police warn 'someone's luck will run out'
quoted in ABC News
Rushed coronavirus tenancy laws raise as many questions as they answer
writes in The Conversation
British parliament rejects PM May'Brexit plan
Anne McNaughton interviewed by VOA News
Zimbabwe: new Finance Minister named
Jolyon Ford speaks to ABC The World Today
Upcoming events
No upcoming events found.
Past events
Blockchain Technology, Data Management and Smart Contracts: Challenges and Opportunities
- Professor Sjef van Erp
The ANU Centre for Commercial Law and the ANU Centre for European Studies are hosting a one day conference on recent developments and implications of blockchain technology and smart contracts. Speakers will include academics, policymakers and practitioners.
Inspiring Women of ANU: Professor Pauline Ridge speaks on ‘The financing of religion’
- Professor Pauline Ridge, ANU College of Law
‘For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.’ 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV Bible) The association of religion with wealth-generation can provoke strong feelings. Yet, as with other not for profit entities, it is legitimate and necessary for religious groups to fund their religious activities.
Foreign bribery and corruption: Are we making a difference?
- International lawyer Stephane Brabant
- AFP Commander Peter Crozier
- Dr Kath Hall
Over recent years there has been a flurry of regulatory activity in relation to foreign bribery and corruption. Last year multi-national companies paid over $2.9 billion to resolve cases in the US, and Rolls Royce entered the largest deferred prosecution agreement in the UK for over $1.1 billion.
40th Anniversary of the Federal Court of Australia
The ANU Centre for Commercial Law and Centre for International and Public Law are proud to announce a conference to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Federal Court of Australia.
Wellbeing in the Law Week - Mon 8 to Fri 12 May
The ANU College of Law is committed to health and wellbeing in the law, for all our students and academic and professional staff. This is the inaugural Wellbeing in the Law Week, presented by the ANU College of Law Wellbeing Initiative and the ANU Law Students' Society.
The ANU College of Law Centre for Commercial Law is a centre of excellence in private and government commercial law reform, advice and policy evaluation, and a leader in commercial law research and teaching. It also provides a national forum for academics, practitioners and regulators working in private and government commercial law.
We host an annual conference as well as regular seminars and workshops. Our members also run consultancies for legal practitioners, government and the business community on commercial law issues, particularly as they affect government commercial practice.
Our researchers specialise in emerging commercial law areas, particularly corporatisation, privatisation, government contracting, globalisation and international aspects of commercial law.
Research and projects undertaken at the Centre also cover 'traditional' areas of commercial practice such as bankruptcy and insolvency, companies, securities, contracts, equity, intellectual property, personal property securities, trade practices and taxation.
The Centre was established in 1998 and its current director is Pauline Ridge.
Directors

Anne McNaughton
Senior Lecturer
Members
Affiliates


Members of the Centre for Commercial Law are involved in teaching a variety of courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level at ANU Law.
The ANU Master of Laws offers a flexible coursework structure which enables students to undertake a variety of courses. Most courses are taught intensively over periods of two to six days.
Courses may also be studied as a single subject without being part of a full award program or degree. You can take any one of our 80+ Masters courses as a single subject with assessment. This is called ‘non-award study’.
Courses in the Masters Program can also be undertaken on a Professional Development basis where students attend the intensive days but do not complete the assessment nor receive a grade for the course.
Members of the Centre are also available to supervise research students in commercial law topics. For further information, see the Higher Degree Research page.