Judge Ralph J Perdriau Postgraduate Research Scholarship in Common Law

1. Background

a. Established by a bequest, this Scholarship is in memory of alumnus Judge Ralph J Perdriau (LLB 1919) who drafted the Workers' Compensation Bill in 1925 which was enacted by the NSW Parliament in 1926. Judge Perdriau was appointed as the inaugural Chairman of the Workers' Compensation Commission in 1926 and retired in 1951.

b. This Scholarship is intended to support higher degree by research students in the University of Sydney Law School who are researching in common law.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the candidate having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled to study full-time in a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Master of Laws (LLM) by Research within the Sydney Law School.

b. Candidates must be willing to conduct research in common law.

c. Candidates must also hold at least one of the following degrees in Law:

I. a Bachelor of Laws (Honours First Class) or equivalent, or
II. a Master of Laws by Research, or
III. a Master of Laws by Coursework including a research component equivalent to 25% of one year’s full-time enrolment, or
IV. a Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree together with research and/or professional experience deemed to be equivalent to first class honours.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The scholarship has been established with the aim of attracting top candidates, who have well-developed research projects and who would be competitive at top international institutes of higher learning, to do their research degree at the Sydney Law School. The School may also prioritise candidates whose research aligns with the School's strategic research priorities.

b. The successful candidate will be awarded the Scholarship on the basis of:

I. academic merit,
II. area of study and/or research proposal.

c. The successful candidate will be awarded the Scholarship on the nomination of Sydney Law School Associate Dean (Research Education), or their nominated delegate(s).

d. Preference will be given to commencing candidates, though the Scholarship may exceptionally be awarded to currently enrolled full-time PhD, or LLM by Research students demonstrating progress towards timely thesis completion and exceptional research achievements.

4. Value

a. This scholarship can be awarded as either Primary or Supplementary scholarship.

i. When offered as primary-
The Scholarship will provide a primary stipend allowance up to $50,000 per annum as per the below duration:
I. up to 1.75 years for a successful full-time LLM by Research recipient. No extension is possible.
II. up to 3 years for a successful full-time PhD recipient with a possible six months extension.

ii. When offered as supplementary (stipend)-
The Scholarship will provide a supplementary stipend allowance to match a total stipend value (i.e. primary plus supplementary) up to $50,000 per annum as per the below duration:
I. up to 1.75 years for a successful full-time LLM by Research recipient. No extension is possible.
II. up to 3 years for a successful full-time PhD recipient with a possible six months extension.

iii. When offered as either primary or supplementary (one-off payment)-
The Scholarship value will be paid as a one-off payment on receipt of Scholarship Acceptance Form. The value of the scholarship will be mentioned in the offer letter.

b. Periods of study already undertaken towards the degree prior to the commencement of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum duration of the Scholarship excluding any potential extension period.

c. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant research period in which it is offered and cannot be deferred without the prior permission of the Associate Dean (Research Education).

d. The Scholarship cannot be transferred to another area of research, University School, Faculty or University.

e. No other amount is payable.

f. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funding.

5. Eligibility for Progression

a. Progression is subject to passing the annual progress review and demonstrating progress towards timely thesis completion.

6. Leave Arrangements

a. The Scholarship recipient receives up to 20 working days recreation leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued. However, the student will forfeit any unused leave remaining when the Scholarship is terminated or complete. Recreation leave does not attract a leave loading and the supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.

b. The Scholarship recipient may take up to 10 working days sick leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Scholarship. Students with family responsibilities, caring for sick children or relatives, or experiencing domestic violence, may convert up to five days of their annual sick leave entitlement to carer’s leave on presentation of medical certificate(s). Students taking sick leave must inform their supervisor as soon as practicable.

7. Research Overseas

a. The Scholarship recipient may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award.

b. The Scholarship holder may conduct up to 12 months of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC), and will be granted if the research is essential for completion of the degree. All periods of overseas research are cumulative and will be counted towards a student's candidature. Students must remain enrolled full-time at the University and receive approval to count time away.

8. Suspension

a. The Scholarship recipient cannot suspend their award within their first six months of study, unless a legislative provision applies.

b. The Scholarship recipient may apply for up to 12 months suspension of the Scholarship for any reason during the tenure of the Scholarship. Periods of Scholarship suspension are cumulative and failure to resume study after suspension will result in the award being terminated. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC). Periods of study towards the degree during suspension of the Scholarship will be deducted from the maximum tenure of the Scholarship.

9. Changes in Enrolment

a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC, and their supervisor promptly of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, course transfer, and candidature upgrade or downgrade. If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid stipend/tuition fees.

10. Conversion between Research Programs

a. If a successful candidate converts from a Masters by Research to a PhD or vice-versa, the maximum duration of the Scholarship becomes that of the new candidature.

11. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the recipient from their research degree,
II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
III. if the recipient ceases to be a full-time student and prior approval has not been obtained to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis,
IV. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
V. when this scholarship is offered as a primary scholarship and the recipient receives an alternative primary stipend scholarship. In such circumstances this Scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative stipend scholarship where it is of higher value,
VI. when this scholarship is offered as a supplementary scholarship, on receipt of another supplementary stipend scholarship(s) that increases the overall supplementary amount paid to a student to more than 75% of the primary amount. In such circumstances, the supplementary stipend scholarship of the higher value prevails,
VII. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VIII. If the recipient ceases to meet the eligibility requirements specified for this Scholarship, (other than during a period in which the Scholarship has been suspended or during a period of approved leave).

b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University:

I. the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,
II. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress towards timely thesis completion, or
III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.

c. The Scholarship will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.

d. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

12. Misconduct

a. Where during the Scholarship a student engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the Scholarship or in connection with the student’s application and eligibility for the Scholarship), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds provided, the University may require the student to repay payments made in connection with the Scholarship. Examples of such conduct include and without limitation; academic dishonesty, research misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct 2023 (for example, plagiarism in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, or failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interests), breach of the Student Charter 2020 and misrepresentation in the application materials or other documentation associated with the Scholarship.

b. The University may require such repayment at any time during or after the Scholarship period. In addition, by accepting this Scholarship, the student consents to all aspects of any investigation into misconduct in connection with this Scholarship being disclosed by the University to the funding body and/or any relevant professional body.

13. Other Requirements

a. The successful recipient will be invited to assist in the promotion of the Sydney Law School’s Higher Degree Research programs, including representing the Sydney Law School at welcome, research, recruitment and corporate networking events.