Professor Patrick Parkinson AM
Profile
Degrees
MA Oxon; LLM Ill
Courses Taught
- Family law
- Equity
Areas of Interest
- Family law
- Child protection
- Equity and trusts
Brief Biographical Detail
Patrick Parkinson is a professor of law at the University of Sydney and a specialist in family law, child protection and the law of equity and trusts. He is President of the International Society of Family Law. His books include Tradition and Change in Australian Law (5th ed, 2013), Australian Family Law in Context (5th ed, 2012), Family Law and the Indissolubility of Parenthood (2011), The Voice of a Child in Family Law Disputes (with Judy Cashmore, 2008), Child Sexual Abuse and the Churches (2nd ed, 2003) and Principles of Equity (editor, 2nd ed., 2003).
Prof. Parkinson served from 2004-2007 as Chairperson of the Family Law Council, an advisory body to the federal Attorney- General, and also chaired a review of the Child Support Scheme in 2004-05 which led to the enactment of major changes to the Child Support Scheme. Prof. Parkinson is also well-known for his community work concerning child protection. He has been a member of the NSW Child Protection Council, and was Chairperson of a major review of the state law concerning child protection which led to the enactment of the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998. He also works with churches on child protection issues.
Publications
Books | Chapters in Books | Articles
Books
- Parkinson, P, Australian Family Law in Context: Commentary and Materials (5th edition), Thomson Reuters: Sydney (2012).
- Parkinson, P, Family Law and the Indissolubility of Parenthood, CUP: New York (2011).
- Parkinson, P, Australian Family Law in Context: Commentary and Materials (4th edition), Thomson Reuters: Sydney (2009).
- Parkinson, P, Tradition and Change in Australian Law (4th edition), LBC: Sydney (2009).
- Parkinson, P, & Cashmore, J, The Voice of a Child in Family Law Disputes, OUP: UK (2008).
- Parkinson, P, Tradition and Change in Australian Law (3rd edition), LBC: Sydney (2005).
- Parkinson, P, & Behrens, J, Australian Family Law in Context: Commentary and Materials (3rd edition), LawBook Co. (2004).
- Parkinson, P, Child Sexual Abuse and the Churches (2nd edition), Aquila Press (2003).
- Parkinson, P (ed), The Principles of Equity (2nd edition), LawBook Co. (2003).
- Parkinson, P (ed), Equity in Laws of Australia LBC (Vol 1, 1993 ; Vol 2, 1995).
- Parkinson, P, & Clarke, P, (eds), Unfair Dealing in Laws of Australia, LBC (1993).
- Parkinson, P, Calvert, G & Ford, A (eds), The Practice of Child Protection: Australian Approaches, Hale and Iremonger (1992).
- Parkinson P, “Christian Concerns About an Australian Charter of Rights” in P Babie and N Rochow (eds), Freedom of Religion under Bills of Rights, University of Adelaide Press: Adelaide (2012) 117-151.
- Parkinson, P, "Changing Policies Regarding Separated Fathers in Australia" in M Lamb (ed), The Role of the Father in Child Development (5th edition), Wiley: UK (2010) 518-614.
- Parkinson, P, "The Financial Impact of Relocation Disputes: Empirical Evidence from Australia" in B Verschraegen (ed), Family Finances, Jan Sramek Verlag: Vienna (2009) 553-567.
- Parkinson, P, “Family Relationship Centres: A New Approach to Resolving Conflicts About Parenting in Australia” in L Wardle & C Williams (eds), Family Law: Balancing Interests and Pursuing Priorities, William S. Hein & Co: Buffalo, NY, USA (2007) 611-620.
- Parkinson, P, “The Past Caretaking Standard in Comparative Perspective” in Robin Wilson (ed), Reconceiving the Family: Critique on the American Law Institute’s Principles of the Law of Family Dissolution, Cambridge University Press, England (2006) 446-471.
- Parkinson, P, "Die Durchsetzung von Toleranz: Gesetze gegen religiöse Verleumdung in Australien" in T Schirrmacher & T Zimmermanns (eds), Ein Maulkorb für Christen?, VKW: Bonn (2005), 110-133.
- Parkinson, P, & Magner, E, "Recovered Memories: The Legal Dilemmas" in G Davies & T Dalgleish (eds), Recovered Memories: Seeking the Middle Ground, John Wiley: Chichester, England (2001) 51-68.
- Parkinson, P, "Child Protection Law in Australia" in M Freeman (ed), Overcoming Child Abuse: A Window on a World Problem, Ashgate: Aldershot, England (2000) 15-38.
- Parkinson, P, "The Problem of Child Sexual Abuse in Church Communities" in Child Sexual Abuse in Queensland: Selected Research Papers, Queensland Crime Commission: Brisbane, (2000) 59-72.
- Parkinson, P, "Variation and Departure from the Terms of the Trust" in J Armitage & A Emmett (eds), Trusts Law Australia, Butterworths: Sydney (2000), 23,021-23,048.
- Parkinson, P, "Alteration of Property Interests" 17:14 in O Jessep & A Dickey (eds), Laws of Australia, (1998) 1-75.
- Parkinson, P, "The Churches' Responsibility for Dealing with Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse" in Violating Trust: Professional Sexual Abuse, papers from the 1st Australian and NZ Conference on Sexual Exploitation by Health Professionals, Psychotherapists and Clergy, 1996 (CAHPACA, 1998).
- Parkinson, P, "Multiculturalism and the Regulation of Marriage in Australia" in N Lowe & G Douglas (eds), Families Across Frontiers, Kluwer (1996), 309-326.
- Parkinson, P, "The Conscience of Equity" in P Parkinson (ed), The Principles of Equity, LBC: Sydney (1996), 28-52.
- Parkinson, P, & Wright, D, "Equity and Property" in P Parkinson (ed), The Principles of Equity, Lawbook Co: Sydney (1996), 53-91.
- Parkinson, P, "Estoppel" in P Parkinson (ed), The Principles of Equity, Lawbook Co: Sydney (1996), 201-280.
- Parkinson, P, "Fiduciary Obligations" in P Parkinson (ed), The Principles of Equity, Lawbook Co: Sydney (1996), 325-378.
- Parkinson, P, "The Property Rights of Cohabitees: Is Statutory Reform the Answer?" in D Pearl, A Bainham & R Pickford (eds), Frontiers of Family Law, John Wiley & Sons: Chichester, England (2nd ed, 1995), 301-319.
- Parkinson, P, "Property and Alimony in No-fault Divorce" in A Tay & C Leung (eds), Australian Law and Legal Thinking in the 1990s, Faculty of Law, University of Sydney (1994), 33-42.
- Parkinson, P, "Estoppel, Unfair Dealing, vol 35 in P Clarke & P Parkinson (eds), Laws of Australia, Lawbook Co: Sydney, (1993) 87.
- Parkinson, P, "The Notion of Unconscionability", Unfair Dealing, vol 35 in P Clarke & P Parkinson (eds), Laws of Australia, Lawbook Co: Sydney (1993), 42.
- Parkinson, P, & Loughlan, P, "The History and Nature of Equity" in Equity, vol 15 in P Parkinson (ed), Laws of Australia, Lawbook Co: Sydney (1993) 48.
- Parkinson, P, "Legal Intervention in Parent-Child Conflicts - The Emergence of No-Fault `Divorce' in Child Welfare Law" in J Eekelaar & P Sarcevic (eds), Parenthood in Modern Society, Martinus Nijhoff: Dordrecht (1993), 487-499.
- Parkinson, P, "Spousal Maintenance - Is It Still Alive?" in Proceedings of the First World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights, Sydney (1993), 1151-1172.
- Parkinson, P, "Law, Economics and Policy in Child Protection" in NSW Child Welfare Law: Policy and Practice - In the Best Interests of the Child?, Duty of Care Working Group: Sydney (1991), 20-28.
- Parkinson, P, "Concepts of Children's Legal Rights in Tort Law" in Legal, Social and Ethical Issues Pertaining to Child and Adolescent Treatment, Centre for Continuing Education, Univ of Sydney, Cumberland College of Health Sciences (1991), 31-44.
- Parkinson, P, Family Law" in R Baxt & G Kewley (eds), Annual Survey of Australian Law 1989, Lawbook Co: Sydney (1990) 141-163.
- Bell, F, Cashmore, J, Parkinson, P & Single, J, 'Outcomes of Child-Inclusive Mediation' (2013) 27(1) International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family 116-142
- Bell, F, Cashmore, J, Parkinson, P & Single, J, 'Choosing Child-Inclusive Mediation' (2012) 23 Australasian Dispute Resolution Journal 253-264
- Parkinson, P, Oates, K & Jayakody, A, 'Child Sexual Abuse in the Anglican Church of Australia' (2012) 21(5) Journal of Child Sexual Abuse 553-570
- Parkinson, P, ‘When is Parenthood Dissoluble?’ (2012) 26(2) BYU J Public Law 147-185
- Parkinson, P, Cashmore, J & Single, J, 'Mothers Wishing to Relocate with Children: Actual and Perceived Reasons' (2011) 27(1) Canadian Journal of Family Law 11-51
- Parkinson, P, 'The Family Law Act and the UN Convention on Children's Rights: A New Focus on Children?' RIGHT NOW - HUMAN RIGHTS IN AUSTRALIA, NO. 265, 13 July 2012 <http://rightnow.org.au/topics/children-and-youth/the-family-law-act-and-the-un-convention-on-children%E2%80%99s-rights-a-new-focus-on-children/>.
- Parkinson, P, 'Family Trusts and Third Parties Under the Family Law Act 1975' (2012) 26 Australian Journal of Family Law 5-27
- Parkinson, P, 'The 2011 Family Violence Amendments: What Difference Will They Make?' (2012) 22 Australian Family Lawyer 1-18
- Cashmore, J & Parkinson, P, 'Reasons for Disputes in High Conflict Families' (2011) 17(3) Journal of Family Studies 186-203
- Parkinson, P, 'Another Inconvenient Truth: Fragile Families and the Looming Financial Crisis for the Welfare State' (2011) 45(3) Family Law Quarterly 329-352
- Cashmore, J & Parkinson, P, 'Parenting arrangements for young children: Messages from research' (2011) 25(3) Australian Journal of Family Law 236-257
- Parkinson, P & Cashmore, J, 'Parenting arrangements for young children – A reply to Smyth, McIntosh and Kelaher' (2011) 25(3) Australian Journal of Family Law 284-86
- Parkinson, P, 'Accommodating Religious Beliefs in a Secular Age: The Issue of Conscientious Objection in the Workplace' (2011) 34(1) University of New South Wales Law Journal 281-299
- Parkinson, P, Cashmore, J & Single, J, 'Post-Separation Conflict and the Use of Family Violence Orders' (2011) 33(1) Sydney Law Review 1-33
- Parkinson, P, Cashmore, J & Webster, A, 'The Views of Family Lawyers on Apprehended Violence Orders After Parental Separation' (2010) 24(3) Australian Journal of Family Law 313-336
- Parkinson, P, Webster, A & Cashmore, J, 'Lawyers’ Interviews with Clients about Family Violence' (2010) 33(3) University of New South Wales Law Journal 929-944
- Parkinson, P, 'Christian Concerns About an Australian Charter of Rights' (2010) 15(2) Australian Journal of Human Rights 83-121
- Parkinson, P, 'Parenting after Separation - The Process of Dispute Resolution in Australia' (2010) 330 Ritsumeikan Law Review 110-134
- Parkinson, P, Oates, K & Jayakody, A, 'Breaking the Long Silence: Reports of child sexual abuse in the Anglican Church of Australia' (2010) 6(2) Ecclesiology 183-200
- Parkinson, P, Cashmore, J & Single, J, 'The Need for Reality Testing in Relocation Cases' (2010) 44(1) Family Law Quarterly 1-34
- Chisholm, R & Parkinson, P, 'Reasonable Practicability as a Requirement: The High Court’s Decision in MRR v GR' (2010) 24(2) Australian Journal of Family Law 255-271.
- Parkinson, P, 'The Family Law Reform Pendulum' (2009) 23(3) Australian Journal of Family Law 155-159.
- Cashmore, J & Parkinson, P, ‘Children’s Participation in Family Law Disputes: Are Children Happier If They Have a Say?’ (2009) 82 Family Matters 15-21.
- Parkinson, P, ‘Freedom of Movement in an Era of Shared Parenting: the Dfferences in Judicial Approaches to Relocation’ (2008) 36(2) Federal Law Review 145-171.
- Parkinson, P, ‘Children, Young People and Federalism’ (2008) 92 Reform 41-43.
- Cashmore, J, & Parkinson, P, ‘Children's and Parents' Perceptions on Children's Participation in Decision Making After Parental Separation and Divorce’ (2008) 46(1) Family Court Review 91-104.
- Cashmore, J, Parkinson, P, & Taylor, A, ‘Overnight Stays and Children's Relationships With Resident and Nonresident Parents After Divorce’ (2008) 29(6) Journal of Family Issues 707-733.
- Parkinson, P, ‘The Realities of Relocation: Messages from Judicial Decisions’ (2008) 22(1) Australian Journal of Family Law 35-55.
- Parkinson, P, & Cashmore, J, ‘What Responsibility Do Courts Have to Hear Children’s Voices?’ (2007) 15 International Journal of Children’s Rights 43-60.
- Parkinson P, ‘Reengineering the Child Support Scheme: An Australian Perspective on the British Government’s Proposals’, (2007) 70 Modern Law Review 812-836.
- Parkinson P, Cashmore J, ‘Judicial Conversations with Children in Parenting Disputes: The Views of Australian Judges’ (2007) 21(2) International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family 160-189.
- Parkinson P, Cashmore J and Single J, ‘Parents' and Children’s Views on Talking to Judges in Parenting Disputes in Australia’ (2007) 21 International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family 84-107.
- Parkinson, P, ‘Religious Vilification, Anti-discrimination Laws and Religious Minorities: The Freedom to be Different’ (2007) 81(12) Australian Law Journal 954-966.
- Parkinson, P, ‘The Future of Child Support’ (2007) 33(2) University of Western Australia Law Review 179-206.
- Parkinson, P, ‘The Values of Parliament and the Best Interests of Children - A Response to Professor Chisholm’ (2007) 21(3) Australian Journal of Family Law 213-228.
- Parkinson, P, ‘Family Law and the Indissolubility of Parenthood’ (2006) 40 Family Law Quarterly 237-280.
- Parkinson, P, ‘Keeping in Contact: The Role of Family Relationship Centres in Australia’ (2006) 18 Child and Family Law Quarterly 157-174.
- Parkinson, P, ‘Decision-Making About The Best Interests Of The Child: The Impact of The Two Tiers’ (2006) 20 Australian Journal of Family Law 179-192.
- Parkinson, P, 'The Law of Postseparation Parenting in Australia' (2005) 39(2) Family Law Quarterly 507-525.
- Parkinson, P, Cashmore, J & Single, J, 'Adolescents' views on the fairness of parenting and financial arrangements after separation' (2005) 43(3) Family Court Review 429-444.
- Parkinson, P, 'The Yardstick of Equality: Assessing contributions in Australia and England' (2005) 19 International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family 163-175.
- Parkinson, P, Shrimpton, S, Oates, K, Swanston, H & O'Toole, B, 'Non-sex offences committed by child molesters: findings from a longitudinal study' (2004) 48 International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology 28-39.
- Parkinson, P, Smyth, B, ‘Satisfaction and dissatisfaction with father-child contact arrangements in Australia’ (2004) 16(3) Child and Family Law Quarterly 289-304.
- Swanston, H, Plunkett, A, O'Toole, B, Shrimpton, S, Parkinson P & Oates K, 'Nine Years After Child Sexual Abuse' (2003) 27 Child Abuse and Neglect 967-984.
- Swanston, H, Parkinson, P, O'Toole, B, Plunkett A & Oates, K, 'Juvenile Crime, Aggression and Delinquency after Sexual Abuse: a Longitudinal Study' (2003) 43 British Journal of Criminology 729-749.
- Parkinson, P, 'Quantifying the Homemaker Contribution in Family Property Law' (2003) 31 Federal Law Review 1-55.
- Parkinson, P, 'Child Protection, Permanency Planning And Children's Right To Family Life' (2003) 17 International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family 147-172.
- Parkinson, P, ‘Review: Scott-Hunt, S and Lim, L (eds), "Feminist Perspectives on Equity and Trusts"’ (2003) 22 Feminist Legal Studies 93-97.
- Parkinson, P, 'Reconceptualising the Express Trust' (2002) 61 Cambridge Law Journal 657-683.
- Parkinson, P, ‘Review: Maley, B, "Family and Marriage in Australia"’ (2002) 16 Australian Journal of Family Law 267-270.
- Parkinson, P, Shrimpton, S, Swanston, H, O'Toole, B & Oates, K,'The Process of Attrition in Child Sexual Assault Cases: A Case Flow Analysis of Criminal Investigations And Prosecutions' (2002) 35 Australian and New Zealand Journal of Criminology 347-362.
- Parkinson, P, 'What Does the Lord Require of Us? Child Sexual Abuse and the Churches' (2002) 4 Journal of Religion and Abuse 3-31.
- Parkinson, P, 'The Child Participation Principle in Child Protection Law in New South Wales' (2001) 9 International Journal of Children's Rights 259-272.
- Parkinson, P, Swanston, H, Oates, K, O'Toole, B, Plunkett, A & Shrimpton, S, 'Further Abuse of Sexually Abused Children' (2002) 26 Child Abuse and Neglect 115-127.
- Parkinson, P, Swanston, H, Oates, K, O'Toole, B, Plunkett, A & Shrimpton, S, 'Statutory Compensation for Victims of Child Sexual Assault: Examining the Efficacy of a Discretionary System' (2001) 8 International Review of Victimology 37-62.
- Parkinson, P, 'Setting Aside Financial Agreements' (2001) 15 Australian Journal of Family Law 26-50.
- Parkinson, P, 'Judicial Discretion, the Homemaker Contribution and Assets Acquired After Separation' (2001) 15 Australian Journal of Family Law 155-171.
- Parkinson, P, Swanston, H, Oates, K, O'Toole, B, Plunkett, A & Shrimpton, S, 'Suicide Risk Following Child Sexual Abuse' (2001) 1 Ambulatory Pediatrics 262-266.
- Parkinson, P & Forster, C, 'Compensating Child Sexual Assault Victims Within Statutory Schemes: Imagining A More Effective Compensatory Framework' (2000) 23(2) UNSW Law Journal 172-195.
- Parkinson, P, 'Family Law and Parent-Child Contact: Assessing the Risk of Sexual Abuse' (1999) 23 Melbourne University Law Review 345-371.
- Parkinson, P, ‘Child Protection Law Reforms in NSW’ (1999) 13 Australian Protection Law Reforms in NSW paper 1-9.
- Parkinson, P, 'Reforming the Law of Family Property' (1999) 13 Australian Journal of Family Law 117-139.
- Parkinson, P, 'The Diminishing Significance of Initial Contributions to Property' (1999) 13 Australian Journal of Family Law 52-82.
- Parkinson, P, ‘Review: Oakley, A, (ed), "Trends in Contemporary Trust Law"’ (1998) 20 Sydney Law Review 1-9.
- Parkinson, P & Humphreys, C,'Children Who Witness Domestic Violence - the Implications for Child Protection' (1998) 10 Child and Family Law Quarterly 147-159.
- Parkinson, P, 'Property Rights and Third Party Creditors - The Scope and Limitations of Equitable Doctrines' (1997) 11 Australian Journal of Family Law 100-122.
- Parkinson, P & Jones, E, 'Child Sexual Abuse, Access and the Wishes of Children' (1995) 9 International Journal of Law and the Family 54-85.
- Parkinson, P, 'Fiduciary Law and Access to Medical Records: Breen v Williams' (1995) 17 Sydney Law Review 433-445.
- Parkinson, P, 'Custody, Access and Domestic Violence' (1995) 8 Australian Journal of Family Law 41-57.
- Parkinson, P, 'Taking Multiculturalism Seriously: Marriage Law and the Rights of Minorities' (1994) 16 Sydney Law Review 473-505.
- Parkinson, P, 'Beyond Pettkus v Becker: Quantifying Relief for Unjust Enrichment' (1993) 43 University of Toronto Law Journal 217-256.
- Parkinson, P, 'Children's Rights and Doctors Immunities: The Implications of the High Court's Decision in Re Marion' (1992) 6 Australian Journal of Family Law 101-125.
- Parkinson, P, Tremayne, K & Stubbs, J, 'Secondary School and University Results as Predictors of Success in Law' (1992) 3 Legal Education Review 235-266.
- Parkinson, P, 'Chaos in the Law of Trusts' (1991) 13 Sydney Law Review 227-240.
- Parkinson, P & Cashmore, J, 'The Competency of Children to Give Evidence' (1991) 3(1) Judicial Officers Bulletin (Judicial Commission of NSW) 1-4.
- Parkinson, P, 'Intention, Contribution and Reliance in the De Facto Cases' (1991) 5 Australian Journal of Family Law 268-276.
- Parkinson, P, 'The Future of Competency Testing for Child Witnesses' (1991) 15 Criminal Law Journal 186-192.
- Parkinson, P, 'Unacceptable Risks and the Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse' (1990) 4 Australian Journal of Family Law 254-260.
- Parkinson, P, ''Boy, 15, Divorces Parents': Irreconcilable Difference Applications in Victoria' (1990) 25 Australian Journal of Social Issues 301-317.
- Parkinson, P, 'Equitable Estoppel: Developments after Waltons Stores v. Maher' (1990) 3 Journal of Contract Law 50-69.
- Parkinson, P, 'Child Sexual Abuse Allegations in the Family Court' (1990) 4 Australian Journal of Family Law 60-84.
- Parkinson, P, 'Doing Equity Between De Facto Spouses: From Calverley v. Green to Baumgartner' (1988) 11 Adelaide Law Review 370-404.
- Parkinson, P, 'Leaving Home' (1988) Family Law 480-485.
- Parkinson, P, 'Who Needs the Uniform Marital Property Act?' (1987) 55 University Cincinnati Law Review 677-731.
- Parkinson, P, 'The Domestic Violence Act and Richards v. Richards' (1986) Family Law 70-73.
- Parkinson, P, 'The Gillick Case - Just What Has It Decided?' (1986) Family Law 11-14.






