By Robert Horton, Partner of Hicksons Lawyers and President, NSW Chapter, ANZELA

For those of you who are not familiar with Australia and New Zealand Education Law Association (ANZELA) it is a unique organisation whose members derive from differing disciplines and backgrounds but with a common interest in how law impacts on the delivery of, and outcomes from, education.

Formed in 1991, ANZELA`s disparate membership includes teachers, university academics, lawyers in both private practice and the public sector, administrators, those involved in policy formulation or delivery, union officers and representatives of employer bodies. In addition, many members are institutional, facilitating inclusion of schools, regional education organisations, universities and other bodies.

The organisation consists of a National Board and Chapters for each of New South Wales, Victoria/Tasmania, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and New Zealand.

Nationally, the big event of the year is the Annual Conference which is hosted by one of the chapters. Recent conferences have been held in Hobart, Rotorua, Darwin, Melbourne and Christchurch and this year, from 1 to 3 October 2014, it is Adelaide`s turn. The conferences attract up to 180 delegates and feature a pre-conference day for special interest groups and two days of valuable and informative papers with speakers at various times participating from, amongst other countries, Singapore, Malaysia, South Africa, Canada, and the United States. Hence, the conferences provide a marvellous opportunity for examining education law issues on a comparative basis as well as for remaining up to date on what is happening in one`s backyard.

The theme for this year`s conference, featuring approximately 35 speakers and a panel discussion as well, is 'Walking the Tightrope-Getting the Balance Right', a challenge in any role, but certainly no less so when balancing competing legal obligations and demands in the education arena. Individual topics will cover a broad range of topics including Managing Complaints, Child Protection, Disability Issues, Privacy, Home Schooling, Workers Compensation for teachers, Intellectual Property , Work Health and Safety, implications of Cyber-Space, and many more.

In addition to the Annual Conference, each chapter during the year conducts its own programme of seminars with distinguished speakers providing information of value to members and others on a local basis.

ANZELA also publishes twice a year, the prestigious International Journal of Law and Education, providing a valuable contribution to the literature in the vital area of Law and Education.

More information on ANZELA, on membership or the National conference can be found at www.anzela.edu.au