Professor Emeritus Simon Rice
Appointed to Sydney Law School in 2017, Simon was the Kim Santow Chair of Law and Social Justice from 2020 until his retirement in 2024. He was previously a professor of law and director of law reform and social justice at the ANU College of Law, a senior lecturer in the Division of Law at Macquarie University, and a lecturer in the University of NSW Law Faculty where he was director of clinical programs. He has won a number of teaching awards, and has been awarded competitive research grants in the fields of education, and law and society.
- Law and social justice
- Equality and non-discrimination law
- Human rights law
- Access to justice
- Law reform
- Lawyering and legal ethics
- Legal education
- Australian Research Council Discovery Grant: ‘Religious freedom, LGBT+ employees, and the right to discriminate’, jointly with Professor Douglas Ezzy, Professor Lori G Beaman, Associate Professor Angela Dwyer and Dr Louise Richardson-Self.
- Solicitor, Supreme Court of New South Wales
- Member, Australian Discrimination Law Experts Group
- Member, Australian Lawyers for Human Rights
- Member, Berkeley Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination Law Study Group
- Member, Global Alliance for Justice Education
- Member, International Legal Aid Group
- Member, ISA International Working Group for Comparative Studies of Legal Professions
- Member, Law Society of NSW
- UNSW Alumni Award (Community), 2006
- Human Rights Law Award, 2005. Highly commended ‘For the promotion and advancement of human rights through the practice of law’
- Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), 10 June 2002. ‘For service to the law and to the community through the Law Foundation of New South Wales, and for commitment to the provision of legal assistance and advice to people who are economically and socially vulnerable’
Selected publications
Publications
Books
- Rees, N., Rice, S., Allen, D. (2018). Australian Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Law, 3rd Edition. Sydney, Australia: The Federation Press.
- Evans, A., Cody, A., Copeland, A., Giddings, J., Joy, P., Noone, M., Rice, S. (2017). Australian Clinical Legal Education: Designing and Operating a Best Practice Clinical Program in an Australian Law School. Acton ACT: ANU Press. [More Information]
- McBeth, A., Nolan, J., Rice, S. (2017). The International Law of Human Rights - 2nd Edition. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
Edited Books
- Rice, S., Day, A., Briskman, L. (2018). Social Work in the Shadow of the Law. Sydney: The Federation Press.
- Levy, R., Townes O'Brien, M., Rice, S., Ridge, P., Thornton, M. (2017). New Directions for Law in Australia: Essays in Contemporary Law Reform. Acton: ANU Press.
Book Chapters
- Rice, S. (2021). Commentary: Eatock v Bolt [2011] FCA. In Not known (Eds.), Indigenous Legal Judgments: Bringing Indigenous Voices into Judicial Decision Making, (pp. 169-178). TBC. [More Information]
- Rice, S. (2020). Allowing for Dissent: Opening up Human Rights Dialogue in the Australian Parliament. In Julie Debeljak and Laura Grenfell (Eds.), Law Making and Human Rights: Executive and Parliamentary Scrutiny Across Australian Jurisdictions, (pp. 99-134). Sydney: Thomson Reuters.
- Rice, S. (2020). Bentham Redux: Examining a Right of Access to Law. In Andreas von Arnauld, Kerstin von der Decken and Mart Susi (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of New Human Rights: Recognition, Novelty, Rhetoric, (pp. 541-554). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [More Information]
Journals
- Rice, S. (2023). Not teaching law. Law Teacher. [More Information]
- Rice, S. (2022). A timeless analysis of Australia’s human rights failings. Alternative Law Journal, 47(1), 3. [More Information]
- Ezzy, D., Beaman, L., Dwyer, A., Parry-Fielder, B., McLeay, A., Rice, S., Richardson-Self, L. (2022). LGBTQ+ non-discrimination and religious freedom in the context of government-funded faith-based education, social welfare, health care, and aged care. Journal of Sociology, , 1-20. [More Information]
Conferences
- Smith, B., Rice, S. (2019). Reconceiving Regulation for Equality. Berkeley Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination Law Study Group Annual Conference 2019, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden: Presentation.
- Smith, B., Rice, S. (2018). Mechanisms for meaning: Exploring ways to make anti-discrimination laws more effective by focusing on prevention rather than breach. Berkeley Comparative Equality and Anti-Discrimination Law Study Group Annual Conference 2018, Melbourne Law School, Melbourne, Vic: Presentation.
- Rice, S. (2017). A Place for Critical Perspectives in Legal Education. The Future of Australian Legal Education Conference 2017, Sydney, NSW: Presentation.
Magazine / Newspaper Articles
- Rice, S. (2020). Government's religious discrimination bill enshrines the right to harm others in the name of faith. The Conversation. [More Information]
- Rice, S. (2019). The Coalition's approach to religious discrimination risks being an inconclusive, wasteful exercise. The Conversation. [More Information]
- Rice, S. (2018). Talking about 'harmony' a lot does not eliminate racism. The Guardian. [More Information]
Report
- Rice, S. (2011). 6th Global Alliance for Justice Education Worldwide Conference Report. [More Information]
Reference Works
- Rice, S. (2017). Freedom. In Trischa Mann (Eds.), Australian Law Dictionary - 3rd Edition. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
- Rice, S. (2013). Freedom. In Trischa Mann (Eds.), Australian Law Dictionary - 2nd Edition. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
- Rice, S. (2010). Freedom. In Trischa Mann, Audrey Blunden (Eds.), Australian Law Dictionary. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
Other
- Kinley, D., Rice, S. (2021), Submission (No.91) to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights Inquiry on the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 and Related Bills.
- Banki, S., Stubbs, M., Rice, S., Duffill, P., Hartley, L., McGaughey, F., Kerdo, P., Orchard, P., Berg, L. (2016), Social Justice Exercise Manual. Canberra: Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching.
- Rice, S. (2014), Submission of Proposed Amendments to S18C of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth).
Research Reports
- Banki, S., Rice, S., Hartley, L., McGaughey, F., Kerdo, P., Stubbs, M., Orchard, P., Berg, L., Duffill, P. (2016). Filling the Social Justice Gap: Social Justice Simulations: Final Report 2016, (pp. 5 - 69). Canberra, Australia: Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching.
- Evans, A., Cody, A., Copeland, A., Giddings, J., Noone, M., Rice, S., Booth, E. (2013). Strengthening Australian legal education by integrating clinical experiences: identifying and supporting effective practices - Final Report, (pp. 1 - 84). Australia: Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching. [More Information]
- Rice, S. (2010). Human rights issues relating to African refugees and immigrants in Australia - Background paper for African Australians: A review of human rights and social inclusion issues, Australia: Australian Human Rights Commission. [More Information]
2023
- Rice, S. (2023). Not teaching law. Law Teacher. [More Information]
2022
- Rice, S. (2022). A timeless analysis of Australia’s human rights failings. Alternative Law Journal, 47(1), 3. [More Information]
- Ezzy, D., Beaman, L., Dwyer, A., Parry-Fielder, B., McLeay, A., Rice, S., Richardson-Self, L. (2022). LGBTQ+ non-discrimination and religious freedom in the context of government-funded faith-based education, social welfare, health care, and aged care. Journal of Sociology, , 1-20. [More Information]
- Rice, S. (2022). What does a social justice lawyer need to know? Alternative Law Journal, 47(2), 90-94. [More Information]
2021
- Rice, S. (2021). Commentary: Eatock v Bolt [2011] FCA. In Not known (Eds.), Indigenous Legal Judgments: Bringing Indigenous Voices into Judicial Decision Making, (pp. 169-178). TBC. [More Information]
- Kinley, D., Rice, S. (2021), Submission (No.91) to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights Inquiry on the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 and Related Bills.
2020
- Rice, S. (2020). Allowing for Dissent: Opening up Human Rights Dialogue in the Australian Parliament. In Julie Debeljak and Laura Grenfell (Eds.), Law Making and Human Rights: Executive and Parliamentary Scrutiny Across Australian Jurisdictions, (pp. 99-134). Sydney: Thomson Reuters.
- Rice, S. (2020). Bentham Redux: Examining a Right of Access to Law. In Andreas von Arnauld, Kerstin von der Decken and Mart Susi (Eds.), The Cambridge Handbook of New Human Rights: Recognition, Novelty, Rhetoric, (pp. 541-554). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. [More Information]
- Rice, S. (2020). Government's religious discrimination bill enshrines the right to harm others in the name of faith. The Conversation. [More Information]
2019
- Rice, S. (2019). 'Culture, What Culture?' Why We Don't Know if the ACT Human Rights Act is Working. In Matthew Groves, Janina Boughey, Dan Meagher (Eds.), The Legal Protection of Rights in Australia, (pp. 185-205). Oxford: Hart Publishing. [More Information]
- McGaughey, F., Hartley, L., Banki, S., Duffill, P., Stubbs, M., Orchard, P., Rice, S., Berg, L., Kerdo, P. (2019). 'Finally an academic approach that prepares you for the real world': simulations for human rights skills development in higher education. Human Rights Education Review, 2(1), 70-93. [More Information]
- Rice, S. (2019). About the Legal System: Fundamental concepts; Courts. The Law Handbook: Your Practical Guide to the Law in NSW - 15th Edition. Australia: Thomson Reuters.
2018
- Rees, N., Rice, S., Allen, D. (2018). Australian Anti-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Law, 3rd Edition. Sydney, Australia: The Federation Press.
- Rice, S. (2018). Courts and Tribunals. In Simon Rice, Andrew Day, Linda Briskman (Eds.), Social Work in the Shadow of the Law, (pp. 475-494). Sydney: The Federation Press.
- Rice, S. (2018). Evidence. In Simon Rice, Andrew Day, Linda Briskman (Eds.), Social Work in the Shadow of the Law, (pp. 495-516). Sydney: The Federation Press.
2017
- Rice, S. (2017). A Place for Critical Perspectives in Legal Education. The Future of Australian Legal Education Conference 2017, Sydney, NSW: Presentation.
- Rice, S. (2017). About the Legal System: Fundamental concepts; Courts. The Law Handbook: Your Practical Guide to the Law in NSW - 14 Edition. Australia: Thomson Reuters.
- Evans, A., Cody, A., Copeland, A., Giddings, J., Joy, P., Noone, M., Rice, S. (2017). Australian Clinical Legal Education: Designing and Operating a Best Practice Clinical Program in an Australian Law School. Acton ACT: ANU Press. [More Information]
2016
- Rice, S., Levy, R. (2016). Co-Chair. National Law Reform Conference 2016, Canberra, ACT: Presentation.
- Rice, S. (2016). Donald Trump's 'new civil rights agenda' talk is just unhelpful noise. The Conversation. [More Information]
- Banki, S., Rice, S., Hartley, L., McGaughey, F., Kerdo, P., Stubbs, M., Orchard, P., Berg, L., Duffill, P. (2016). Filling the Social Justice Gap: Social Justice Simulations: Final Report 2016, (pp. 5 - 69). Canberra, Australia: Australian Government Office for Learning and Teaching.
2015
- Rice, S. (2015). 40 years of the Racial Discrimination Act: Are We Still Protected? Federation of Ethnic Communities' Council of Australia (FECCA) 2015 National Biennial Conference - Multiculturalism in Action: Building a better future for all Australians, Sydney, NSW: Presentation.
- Rice, S. (2015). Brandis receives long list of rights-limiting laws - now can he justify them? The Conversation. [More Information]
- Rice, S. (2015). Challenging Elder Abuse. Council on the Ageing ACT Forum 2015, Canberra, ACT: Presentation.
2014
- Rice, S., Meyerson, D., Ogg, K. (2014). 'Are we there yet?' Measuring human rights sensibilities. Australian Journal of Human Rights, 20(1), 67-97.
- Rice, S. (2014). About the Legal System: Fundamental concepts; Courts. The Law Handbook - 13th Edition, (pp. 1-38). Australia: Thomson Reuters.
- Rees, N., Rice, S., Allen, D. (2014). Australian Anti-Discrimination Law - 2nd Edition. Australia: Federation Press.
2013
- Rice, S. (2013). Adequate legal aid funding is vital for a just and equitable society. Human Rights Law Centre Bulletin. [More Information]
- Rice, S. (2013). Basic Instinct: The Heroic Project of Anti-Discrimination Law. Adelaide Festival of Ideas 2013, Adelaide, SA: Presentation.
- Rice, S. (2013). Freedom. In Trischa Mann (Eds.), Australian Law Dictionary - 2nd Edition. United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
2012
- Rice, S. (2012). About the Legal System: Fundamental concepts; Courts. The Law Handbook - 12th Edition. Australia: Thomson Reuters.
- Rice, S. (2012). Are CLCs Finished? Alternative Law Journal, 37(1), 17-21. [More Information]
- Rice, S. (2012). Chair. Australasian Law Reform Agencies Conference 2012 - Conversations about law reform: sharing knowledge and experience, Canberra, ACT: Presentation.
2011
- Rice, S. (2011). 6th Global Alliance for Justice Education Worldwide Conference Report. [More Information]
- Lasky, B., Morrish, W., Morales, N., Bardiger, R., Srichaiyarat, P., Mohd Suhaimi, A., Abdul Hadi, S., Mohamed Nazeri, N., Yandell, H., Krishna Prasad Mandava, R., et al (2011). A Study and Demonstrations of Cross Border CLE Collaborative Initiatives-The BABSEA CLE Experience. 6th Global Alliance for Justice Education (GAJE) Worldwide Conference 2011: Combating Social Justice Through Justice Education, Valencia, Spain: Presentation.
- Rice, S. (2011). Access to a Lawyer in Rural Australia: Thoughts on the Evidence we need. Deakin Law Review, 16(1), 13-46.
2010
- Rice, S., Roles, C. (2010). 'It's a Discrimination Law Julia, But Not As We Know It': Part 3-1 of the Fair Work Act. The Economic Labour Relations Review, 21(1), 13-36. [More Information]
- Rice, S. (2010). Access to a lawyer in rural NSW: thoughts on the evidence we need. National Rural Regional Law and Justice Conference 2010, Warrnambool, Vic: Presentation.
- Rice, S. (2010). And Which 'Equality Act' Would that Be? In Margaret Thornton (Eds.), Sex Discrimination in Uncertain Times, (pp. 197-234). Canberra: ANU E Press.
2009
- Rice, S. (2009). About the Legal System: Fundamental concepts; Courts. The Law Handbook: Your Practical Guide to the Law in New South Wales - 11th Edition. Australia: Law Book Co.
- Rice, S. (2009). Courts and Tribunals. In Swain, Phillip~Rice, Simon~ (Eds.), In the Shadow of the Law: The Legal context of Social Work Practice. Sydney, Australia: Federation Press.
- Rice, S. (2009). Discriminating for world peace. In Jeremy Farrall, Kim Rubenstein (Eds.), Sanctions, Accountability and Governance in a Globalised World, (pp. 355-377). United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.
2008
- Rees, N., Lindsay, K., Rice, S. (2008). Australian Anti-Discrimination Law. Australia: Federation Press.
- Rice, S. (2008). How to: choose a judge. ABC Unleashed. [More Information]
- Rice, S. (2008). The 'feral judge' furphy in the human rights debate. On Line Opinion - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate, (5 June 2008). [More Information]
2007
- Rice, S. (2007). About the Legal System: Fundamental concepts; Courts. In Rosemary Barry (Eds.), The Law Handbook: Your Practical Guide to the Law in New South Wales - 10th Edition. Australia: Redfern Legal Centre Publishing.
2004
- O'Neill, N., Rice, S., Douglas, R. (2004). Retreat from Injustice: Human Rights Law in Australia - 2nd Edition. Australia: Federation Press.
1999
- Rice, S. (1999). Access to law in the year 2525. Alternative Law Journal, 24(2), 62-66.
1995
- Rice, S. (1995). Neighbours. The Law Handbook - 5th Edition. Australia: Redfern Legal Centre Publishing.
1991
- Rice, S. (1991). Neighbours. The Law Handbook - 4th Edition. Australia: Redfern Legal Centre Publishing.
- Rice, S. (1991). Some Observations on the Operation of a Clinical Program in New South Wales. In Ronwyn North, Terence Purcell (Eds.), The Transition, Law Student to Lawyer: Improving the Process. Australia: Law Foundation of New South Wales.
1988
- Rice, S., Musgrave, P. (1988). Legal Documents. The Law Handbook - 3rd Edition. Australia: Redfern Legal Centre Publishing.
- Rice, S. (1988). Neighbours. The Law Handbook - 3rd Edition. Australia: Redfern Legal Centre Publishing.
- Rice, S. (1988). Work Accidents and Injuries. The Law Handbook - 3rd Edition. Australia: Redfern Legal Centre Publishing.
1986
- Rice, S. (1986). Neighbours. The Law Handbook - 2nd Edition. Australia: Redfern Legal Centre Publishing.
Selected Grants
2019
- Religious freedom, LGBT employees, and the right to discriminate, Ezzy D, Rice S, Dwyer A, Richardson-Self L, Beaman L, Australian Research Council (ARC)/Discovery Projects (DP)
In the media
2013 Mitchell Oration - Basic Instinct: The Heroic Project of Anti-Discrimination Law