Administrative justice is still something of a moot subject, according to Professor John McMillan of the University of Sydney, who delivered the Faculty of Law's 9th Ben Beinart Lecture in August.

It is common, said McMillan, for administrative lawyers today to "sidestep what it means, or to agree that everybody's definition has substance".

No matter the definition, however, a cardinal rule is that the individual must be "properly safeguarded in relation to the state", he noted.

In picture, McMillan (right) with Selwyn Hockey (left) of sponsors Webber Wentzel, and Dean of Law Prof PJ Schwikkard.