The Sir Zelman Cowen Centre provides training and support to the courts, legal practitioners, judiciary and other professions.

By working with a range of employers, practitioners and professional bodies we identify training needs and design programs and events to meet those needs.

Facilities

Read more about room hire and catering at the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre.

Courses

The following professional development courses are available through the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre:

Short courses:

• Immigration Law - Continuing Professional Development
• Professional Certificate in Immigration Law
• Mental Health First Aid
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment - Justice and Legal Sector
• Professional Certificate of Executive Screen Production
• Professional Certificate of Education Agent Practice
• Bail Justice Training

Award courses:

• Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Law and Practice
• Graduate Diploma in Commercial Arbitration (see the option for International students)
• Master of Laws by research
• Doctor of Philosophy (Law)
• Certificate IV in Government (Court Services)
• Graduate Diploma in Notarial Practice

For further information about courses, search our course finder.

Alternatively, you can email buslawcourses@vu.edu.au or contact one of the Faculty offices.

Academic staff

Following is information of course presenters for the Graduate Certificate in Immigration Law and Practice, and the Graduate Diploma in Notarial Practice.

Graduate Certificate in Immigration Law and Practice academic staff
Andrew Cope MA, LL.B, DipIM (Lib), FMIA, LIV Accredited Specialist (Immigration Law)
Professor Rodger Fernandez B.Ec., LL.B (Monash), M.Tax (Melb), Ph.D (Syd), LIV Accredited Specialist (Immigration Law)
Murray Gerkens LL.B (Melb), GradCertAustImmLaw (VU)
Chong Quaik B.Ec, LL.B (Mon),LL.M (Melb), LIV Accredited Specialist (Immigration Law)
Dominic Yau B.A. (Melb), LL.B. (LaTrobe), GradCertAustImmLaw (VU)
Sherene Khalil LL.B(Hon) (Monash), B.Com(Mgt) (Monash), GradCertAustImmLaw (VU)
Graduate Diploma in Notarial Practice academic staff
Professor Peter Zablud Director of Notarial Studies, assessor Notarial Practice/Theory, Graduate Diploma in Notarial Practice
Phillip Hamilton Associate director, Notarial Studies Graduate Diploma in Notarial Practice

About Sir Zelman Cowen

The staff and students of the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre join all Australians in mourning the death of Sir Zelman Cowen, AK GCMG GCVO QC, who passed away on 8 December 2011.

Sir Zelman’s lifelong commitment to education was demonstrated by his involvement with Victoria University from its earliest days and, in particular, his strong support for the Victoria Law School.

Sir Zelman remained a staunch friend of the University and his contribution was acknowledged in naming the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre in his honour.

The Sir Zelman Cowen Centre wishes to publicly acknowledge Sir Zelman for his contribution to the University, the legal profession and the whole Australian community, and offer condolences to his family.  

Read the full VU news article on Sir Zelman Cowen's death. 

Sir Zelman Cowen was one of Australia's most distinguished jurists. He was born in St Kilda in 1919, and studied law at Oxford University.

From 1951, he was Professor of Public Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law at Melbourne University. He was knighted in 1976 and appointed Governor-General of Australia in 1977.

In 1982 he became Provost of Oriel College Oxford in 1982 and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Oxford in 1988. He also served as Chairman of the UK Press Council between 1983 and 1988.

Contact us

Sir Zelman Cowen Centre
Level 2, City Queen Campus
Phone: +61 3 9919 1843
Email: cowen.centre@vu.edu.au