Rate Professor Ian Freckelton

Professional Summary: Professor Ian Freckelton AO KC

Professor Ian Freckelton AO KC is a distinguished legal scholar, barrister, and academic at the University of Melbourne, Australia. With a prolific career spanning law, forensic psychology, and health law, he has made significant contributions to academia and legal practice both nationally and internationally. His interdisciplinary expertise and extensive publications have established him as a leading authority in his fields of specialization.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Freckelton holds multiple advanced degrees reflecting his broad intellectual foundation:

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Sydney.
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law from Griffith University, focusing on legal and ethical issues in forensic contexts.

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Freckelton’s research is characterized by an interdisciplinary approach, with key areas of focus including:

• Health law and medical ethics.
• Forensic psychology and psychiatry, particularly the intersection of law and mental health.
• Expert evidence and the role of science in legal proceedings.
• Regulation of professions and professional misconduct.
• Coronial law and death investigation processes.

Career History and Appointments

Professor Freckelton has held numerous prestigious positions across academic and legal spheres:

• Professorial Fellow in Law and Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne.
• Adjunct Professor of Law at Monash University.
• King’s Counsel (KC), practicing as a barrister in Melbourne with a focus on health law and administrative law.
• Former roles include serving as a part-time member of various tribunals, including the Mental Health Tribunal of Victoria.

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Freckelton’s contributions have been widely recognized through prestigious honors:

• Appointed Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2021 for distinguished service to the law, legal scholarship, and professional regulation.
• Elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law.
• Elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences.

Key Publications

Professor Freckelton is a prolific author and editor with an extensive body of work. Some of his notable publications include:

• Expert Evidence: Law, Practice, Procedure and Advocacy (6th Edition, 2021) – A seminal text widely used by legal practitioners and scholars.
• Death Investigation and the Coroner’s Inquest (2006, co-authored with David Ranson) – A key resource in coronial law.
• Disputes and Dilemmas in Health Law (2006, co-edited with Kerry Petersen) – Exploring critical issues in health law.
• Numerous peer-reviewed articles on topics such as mental health law, professional regulation, and forensic evidence in journals like the Journal of Law and Medicine, which he founded and edits.

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Freckelton has profoundly influenced the fields of health law, forensic psychology, and legal ethics through his scholarship, advocacy, and editorial work. As the founding editor of the Journal of Law and Medicine and the Psychiatry, Psychology and Law journal, he has shaped discourse in these interdisciplinary areas. His work on expert evidence has been instrumental in improving judicial understanding of scientific and medical testimony, impacting legal practice worldwide. Additionally, his contributions to policy and regulation have informed professional standards in health and legal sectors in Australia.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Freckelton is actively engaged in the broader academic and legal community:

• Regular speaker at national and international conferences on health law, forensic science, and mental health law.
• Founder and Editor of the Journal of Law and Medicine and Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, fostering critical research in these fields.
• Has served on numerous committees and advisory bodies related to mental health, professional regulation, and legal ethics in Australia.