Neil Rees
Encyclopedia
Professor Neil Rees is an Australian jurist
and legal academic. He is currently the Chairperson of the Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC), Victoria's chief law reform organisation.
Rees obtained a Bachelor of Laws
and a Bachelor of Jurisprudence from Monash University
where, as an undergraduate, he helped to found the Monash Springvale Community Legal Centre - the first university-based, and now the oldest continually running community legal centre in Australia.
After graduating, Rees was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in Victoria. He then worked in legal practice, including with the Aboriginal Legal Aid Service. Rees then moved into the public service to become Assistant Director of Policy and Research for the Victorian Attorney-General. Following this, Rees moved into academia, taking up a position at the University of New South Wales
as Director of Legal Education. In 1991, Professor Rees was appointed foundation Dean at the University of Newcastle
Law School. His research focus as an academic was in equal opportunity law, employment law and administrative law. His prior appointments include President of the Mental Health Review Board and Chairman of the Psychosurgery Review Board.
On February 20, 2007, Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls
announced that Rees would replace Marcia Neave
as the Chairperson of the Victorian Law Reform Commission, a position Rees as held since June 2007. Rees handed down one of the Commission's most discussed reports in recent years in May 2008, advising the Victorian Government on the decriminalisation of abortion
.
Jurist
A jurist or jurisconsult is a professional who studies, develops, applies, or otherwise deals with the law. The term is widely used in American English, but in the United Kingdom and many Commonwealth countries it has only historical and specialist usage...
and legal academic. He is currently the Chairperson of the Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC), Victoria's chief law reform organisation.
Rees obtained a Bachelor of Laws
Bachelor of Laws
The Bachelor of Laws is an undergraduate, or bachelor, degree in law originating in England and offered in most common law countries as the primary law degree...
and a Bachelor of Jurisprudence from Monash University
Monash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
where, as an undergraduate, he helped to found the Monash Springvale Community Legal Centre - the first university-based, and now the oldest continually running community legal centre in Australia.
After graduating, Rees was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in Victoria. He then worked in legal practice, including with the Aboriginal Legal Aid Service. Rees then moved into the public service to become Assistant Director of Policy and Research for the Victorian Attorney-General. Following this, Rees moved into academia, taking up a position at the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
as Director of Legal Education. In 1991, Professor Rees was appointed foundation Dean at the University of Newcastle
University of Newcastle, Australia
The University of Newcastle is an Australian public university that was established in 1965. The University's main and largest campus is located in Callaghan, a suburb of Newcastle in New South Wales...
Law School. His research focus as an academic was in equal opportunity law, employment law and administrative law. His prior appointments include President of the Mental Health Review Board and Chairman of the Psychosurgery Review Board.
On February 20, 2007, Victorian Attorney-General Rob Hulls
Rob Hulls
Rob Justin Hulls has been a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 1996, representing the electorate of Niddrie. As well as previously serving as the Deputy Premier of Victoria, he was also the state Attorney-General and Minister for Racing.Rob Hulls was born in Melbourne and was...
announced that Rees would replace Marcia Neave
Marcia Neave
Justice Marcia Ann Neave AO was appointed to the Supreme Court of Victoria, Court of Appeals division, on 22 February 2006.Before her appointment, Neave was the foundation Chair of the Victorian Law Reform Commission and Professor of Law at Monash University...
as the Chairperson of the Victorian Law Reform Commission, a position Rees as held since June 2007. Rees handed down one of the Commission's most discussed reports in recent years in May 2008, advising the Victorian Government on the decriminalisation of abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
.