Emeritus Professor Jennifer Corrin

Emerita Professor

School of Law
Faculty of Business, Economics and Law

Overview

Professor Emerita Jennifer Corrin researches on law reform and development in plural legal regimes and legal issues affecting small states. She is a former Australian Research Council Future Fellow and in 2019 was a short-term Visiting Fellow at Jesus College, Oxford. Professor Emerita Corrin has participated in a number of research grant projects including an ARC Discovery Grant, which investigated means of better managing the flow of public finances and people across Australia's international borders; and work on environmental issues in Solomon Islands, funded by the MacArthur Foundation. Most recently she has been co-investigator in a project concerning inclusion of women’s voices in marine resource management in the Pacific, funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (UK). Jennifer has been consulted as an expert in a number of legal cases.

Professor Emerita Jennifer Corrin has published in the areas of legal pluralism, comparative law, South Pacific law, customary law, human rights, court systems, evidence, civil procedure, family law, land law, constitutional law and contract. She is the author of Contract Law in the South Pacific and co-author of Introduction to South Pacific Law (heading for its 5th edition), Courts and Civil Procedure in the South Pacific and Proving Customary Law in the Common Law Courts of the South Pacific. In 2019, she co-edited and wrote several chapters in a book on adoption in plural legal regimes. Her latest publication is the co-edited book, Legal Systems of the Pacific: Introducing Sixteen Gems.

Before joining The University of Queensland, Professor Emerita Corrin spent six years at the University of the South Pacific, having joined the Faculty after nine years in her own legal firm in Solomon Islands. She retains strong links with the profession and is a life member of Solomon Islands Bar Association. Professor Emerita Corrin’s memberships include the Australian Academy of Law, the Board of the Commission on Legal Pluralism, the Executive Committee of the Australian Law Academics Association, and titular membership of the International Academy of Comparative Law. She is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Legal Pluralism, a member of the International Editorial Board of the Journal of South Pacific Law, and a member of the Editorial Board of the Comparative Law Journal and of the Asia Pacific Journal of Environmental Law.

Research Interests

  • South Pacific Law
  • Legal pluralism
  • Customary law and human rights
  • Courts, civil practice, procedure and evidence
  • Governance, law reform and legal education

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Griffith University

Publications

View all Publications

Available Projects

  • The issues raised by legal pluralism are diverse and wide ranging, and pose complex challenges for law reform and development. The topic allows space to explore in detail the uncertainties and tensions which arise between very different systems of law in South Pacific Islands. It also encompasses the broader issues that arise within the sphere of South Pacific Law.

    For further information contact Professor Jennifer Corrin, e: j.corrin@law.uq.edu.au.

View all Available Projects

Publications

Featured Publications

Book

Book Chapter

  • Corrin, Jennifer (2023). Legal regulation of same sex relationships in Pacific island countries: A conflict of values. International survey of family law. (pp. 307-319) edited by Robin Fretwell Wilson and June Carbone. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Intersentia.

  • Corrin, Jennifer (2021). Kiribati. Legal Systems of the Pacific: Introducing Sixteen Gems. (pp. 93-117) edited by Jennifer Corrin and Tony Angelo. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Intersentia.

  • Forrest, Craig and Corrin, Jennifer (2020). Oceania. The Oxford handbook of international cultural heritage law. (pp. 860-877) edited by Francesco Francioni and Ana Filipa Vrdoljak . Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/law/9780198859871.003.0036

  • Corrin, Jennifer (2020). Constitutionalism and customary laws in Solomon Islands. Debating legal pluralism and constitutionalism: new trajectories for legal theory in the global age. (pp. 273-304) edited by Guillaume Tusseau. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-34432-0_9

  • Corrin, Jennifer (2020). Contesting the treaty. Too close to ignore: Australia's Borderland with PNG and Indonesia. (pp. 55-94) edited by Mark Moran and Jodie Curth-Bibb. Melbourne, VIC Australia: Melbourne University Publishing.

  • Kanairara, Philip and Corrin, Jennifer (2019). Adoption in Solomon Islands. The plural practice of adoption in Pacific island states. (pp. 107-128) edited by Jennifer Corrin and Sue Farran. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-95077-8_6

  • Corrin, Jennifer (2019). An embarrassment of riches: assessing the merits of plural dispute resolution options in Solomon Islands. La rencontre des systèmes juridiques autochtones et étatiques: confrontation ou coopération? The intersection of Indigenous Laws and State Law: confrontation or cooperation?. (pp. 73-124) edited by Ghislain Otis. Quebec City, Canada: Presses de l'Université Laval.

  • Farran, Sue and Corrin, Jennifer (2019). Introduction. The plural practice of adoption in Pacific island states. (pp. 1-13) edited by Jennifer Corrin and Sue Farran. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-95077-8_1

  • Corrin, Jennifer (2019). Papua New Guinea: State and Customary Laws and the Underlying Law of Papua New Guinea: A Family Law Conundrum. International Survey of Family Law 2019. (pp. 239-260) edited by Margaret Brinig. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Intersentia. doi: 10.1017/9781780689319.017

  • Mulitalo Seumanutafa, Teleiai Lalotoa and Corrin, Jennifer (2019). Plural procedures for adoption and ‘Vae Tama’ in Samoa. The plural practice of adoption in Pacific Island states. (pp. 87-106) edited by Jennifer Corrin and Sue Farran. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-95077-8_5

  • Corrin, Jennifer (2019). South Pacific island states. The Oxford handbook of International law in Asia and the Pacific. (pp. 733-765) edited by Simon Chesterman, Hisashi Owada and Ben Saul. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.

  • Corrin, Jennifer (2019). Transplant shock: the hazards of introducing statutes of general application. Legal transplants in East Asia and Oceania. (pp. 34-62) edited by Vito Breda. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/9781108605991.003

  • Corrin, Jennifer and Farran, Sue (2018). The law on adoption in Vanuatu. The plural practice of adoption in Pacific island states. (pp. 147-169) Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-95077-8_8

  • Corrin, Jennifer Clare (2017). Human rights are not our business: legal pluralism and the South Pacific's constitutional conundrum. Pluralisme juridique et droits fondamentaux. (pp. 83-97) edited by Fabrice Hourquebie. Bordeaux, France: Fondation Varenne.

  • Corrin, Jennifer Clare (2016). Beyond recognition: promoting Indigenous peoples and their laws in the South Pacific. Constitutional recognition of First Peoples in Australia: theories and comparative perspectives. (pp. Unknown-Unknown) edited by Simon Young, Jennifer Nielsen and Jeremy Patrick. Sydney, Australia: Federation Press.

  • Corrin, Jennifer Clare (2016). Solomon Islands. Encyclopedia of law and religion. (pp. 558-562) edited by Gerhard Robbers and Cole Durham. Leiden, Boston: Brill. doi: 10.1163/2405-9749_elr_COM_00000100

  • Corrin, Jennifer and Teng, Benjamin (2016). Solomon Islands: Negotiating the Pluralistic Family Law Regimes in the Solomon Islands. The International Survey of Family Law: 2016 Edition. (pp. 427-455) edited by Bill Atkin and Fareda Banda. London, United Kingdom: Jordon Publishing Limited.

  • Corrin, Jennifer Clare and Cappa, Clare L. (2015). Resolution of Family Disputes in Fiji and Samoa. The International Survey of Family Law. (pp. 75-94) edited by Bill Atkin. Bristol, United Kingdom: Bristol Family Law.

  • Corrin, Jennifer Clare (2015). The rights of the child in solomon islands' plural legal system. The rights of the child in a changing world. (pp. 263-292) edited by Jancic and Olga Cvejic. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-23189-1

  • Corrin, Jennifer Clare and Foote, Eleanor (2014). Failing to adopt a new approach: the law of adoption in Solomon Islands. The International Survey of Family Law. (pp. 435-456) edited by Bill Atkin. Bristol, United Kingdom: International Society of Family Law.

  • Corrin, Jennifer (2013). Cultural relativism vs universalism: the South Pacific reality. The universalism of human rights. (pp. 103-125) edited by Rainer Arnold. Dortrecht, Netherlands: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-94-007-4510-0_6

  • Corrin, Jennifer Clare (2013). Finding the law on adoption in Vanuatu. The International Survey of Family Law: 2013 Edition. (pp. 399-412) edited by Bill Atkin and Fareda Banda. Bristol, United Kingdom: Family Law.

  • Corrin, Jennifer (2012). Protection des ressources naturelles aux Îles Salomon: Pour une extension du rôle du droit coutumier et des autorités coutumières. L'intégration de la coutume dans l'élaboration de la norme environnementale. (pp. 315-x) edited by Carine David and Nadège Meyer. Paris, France: Bruylant.

  • Corrin, Jennifer Clare and Mulitalo, Lalotoa (2012). Samoa: reform of maintenance and divorce laws in Samoa: appropriate for the 'Aiga'?. The international survey of family law. (pp. 283-298) edited by Bill Atkin. Bristol, U.K.: Family Law.

  • Corrin, Jennifer Clare and Mulitalo, Lalatoa (2011). Adoption and 'Vae Tama' in Samoa. International survey of family law. (pp. 313-334) edited by Bill Atkin. Bristol: Jordan Publishing.

  • Corrin, Jennifer Clare (2010). Customary land in Solomon Islands: a victim of legal pluralism. Droit Foncier Et Gouvernance Judiciaire Dans Le Pacifique: Land Law and Governance in the South Pacific. (pp. 361-376) edited by Anthony Angelo and Yves-louis Sage. Wellington, New Zealand: Revue Jurique polynesienne.

  • Corrin Care, Jennifer (2009). 'Is it well with the child?': Custody of children in small South Pacific states. International Survey of Family Law. (pp. 469-489) edited by Bill Atkin. New Zealand: International Society of Family Law.

  • Corrin Care, Jennifer (2009). Solomon Islands. Pacific ways: Government and politics in Pacific Islands. (pp. 212-220) edited by Stephen Levine. New Zealand: Victoria University Press.

  • Corrin, J. (2008). Getting a Fair Share: Financial Relief on Breakdown of Marriage in Samoa. International Survey of Family Law. (pp. 297-316) edited by Bill Atkin. Bristol, United Kingdom: Jordan Publishing.

  • Jennifer Corrin (2008). Resolving land disputes in Samoa. Making land work. (pp. 199-221) edited by Theo Levantis, Marjorie Sullivan, Peter O'Connor, John Munro and Steven Wawrzonek. Canberra, Australia: AusAID.

  • Love, M., Corrin-Care, J., Ross, A., Albert, S., Tibbetts, I., Udy, J., Roelfsema, C. and Duke, N. (2007). Lessons learned, future directions and recommendations. Conserving the marine biodiversity of Marovo Lagoon: Development of environmental management initiatives that will conserve the marine biodiversity and productivity of Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands. (pp. 129-141) edited by N. C. Duke, J. W. Udy, S. Albert, M. Love, A. Ross, I. R. Tibbetts, C. Roelfsema, D. T. Neil, G. Marion, J. Corrin Care, W. Carter, P. Dart and S. Hough. St Lucia, Australia: The University of Queensland.

  • Love, M., Ross, A. C. and Corrin-Care, J. (2007). Strengthening community capacity. Conserving the marine biodiversity of Marovo Lagoon: Development of environmental management initiatives that will conserve the marine biodiversity and productivity of Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands. (pp. 85-97) edited by Norm Duke, James Udy, Simon Albert, Mark Love, Annie Ross, Ian Tibbetts, Chris Roelfsma, David Neil, Guy Marion, Joelle Prange, Jennifer Corrin-Care, William Carter, Peter Dart and Sean Hough. Brisbane, Australia: University of Queensland.

  • Duke, Norm, Udy, James, Albert, Simon, Love, Mark, Ross, Annie, Tibbetts, Ian., Roelfsema, Chris, Neil, David, Marion, Guy, Prange, Joelle, Corrin-Care, Jennifer, Carter, William, Dart, Peter and Hough, Sean (2007). The UQ Marovo Experience: Science-based support for community management of marine resources. Conserving the marine biodiversity of Marovo Lagoon: Development of environmental management initiatives that will conserve the marine biodiversity and productivity of Marova Lagoon, Solomon Islands. (pp. 11-27) edited by N. C. Duke, J. W. Udy, S. Albert, M. Love, A. Ross, I. R. Tibbetts, C. Roelfsema, D. T. Neil, G. Marion, J. Corrin Care, W. Carter, P. Dart and S. Hough. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland.

  • Corrin Care, J (2006). Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Women, Religion and Law in Solomon Islands. Mixed Blessings: Law, Religions, and Women's Rights in the Asia-Pacific Region. (pp. 101-128) edited by Amanda Whiting and Carolyn Evans. Leiden, The Netherlands: Martinus Nijhoff Publishers.

  • Corrin Care, J. (2006). For better or worse: Marriage and divorce laws in the Kingdom of Tonga. International Survey of Family Law 2007. (pp. 291-307) edited by Atkin, B.. Bristol, United Kingdom: Jordan Publishing Limited.

  • Jennifer Corrin and Kenneth Brown (2005). For Better or Worse: Marriage and Divorce Laws in Solomon Island. International Survey of Family Law. (pp. 483-501) edited by Bainham. UK: International Society of Family Law.

  • Corrin Care, J. and Brown, K (2005). For better or worse: Marriage and divorce laws in solomon islands. International Survey of Family Law 2005. (pp. 483-501) edited by A. Bainham. UK: International Society of Family Law.

  • Corrin Care, Jennifer (2005). The search for a more appropriate form of government in the solomon islands. Unfinished constitutional business? : Rethinking indigenous self-determination. (pp. 159-169) edited by Barbara Ann Hocking. Canberra, A.C.T., Australia: Aboriginal Studies Press.

  • Forrest, Cragi and Corrin, Jennifer (2001). Oceania. The Oxford Handbook of International Cultural Heritage Law. (pp. 860-877) edited by Francesco Francioni and Ana Filipa Vrdoljak. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.

Journal Article

Conference Publication

Edited Outputs

Other Outputs

Grants (Administered at UQ)

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

Completed Supervision

Possible Research Projects

Note for students: The possible research projects listed on this page may not be comprehensive or up to date. Always feel free to contact the staff for more information, and also with your own research ideas.

  • The issues raised by legal pluralism are diverse and wide ranging, and pose complex challenges for law reform and development. The topic allows space to explore in detail the uncertainties and tensions which arise between very different systems of law in South Pacific Islands. It also encompasses the broader issues that arise within the sphere of South Pacific Law.

    For further information contact Professor Jennifer Corrin, e: j.corrin@law.uq.edu.au.