The National Centre for Corporate Law and Policy Research (NCCLPR) is based at the University of Canberra and undertakes research into corporate law and policy across the public and private sectors. The Centre's research priorities have been built upon the corporate and commercial law focus of the Law School at the University of Canberra, and upon the expertise of its staff in these areas. While the core research interests of the Centre relate to corporate law and policy, the context and scope of corporate law and policy research has changed significantly in recent years.

In particular, the broader context of corporate law and policy research today is associated closely with the global reach of corporate power, and with the expansion of traditional legal foundations for corporate law to embrace a broader framework for corporate governance. Issues in corporate law are increasingly interwoven with far broader issues in corporate governance that are of relevance to government and society.

In April 1999, the National Institute for Governance was established at the University of Canberra with a view to furthering the interests of researchers and practitioners in all fields of governance. One focus of the National Institute for Governance has been upon issues of governance arising in both public and private sectors. Given the extent to which the corporation is now integral to the structure and development of executive government in Australia this focus has suggested a number of new areas for future research that might be pursued by the Centre.

The Centre currently identifies four primary areas in which it is undertaking research. These are:

• Corporate and organisational governance in the private and public sectors;
• Taxation and accounting law, policy, and practice;
• E-commerce, E-business, and E-government; and
• Corporate and commercial areas of law, policy, and practice.

The National Centre for Corporate Law and Policy Research conducts teaching, training, research, and consultancy services across the public and private sectors. Its members have both academic and practical expertise in working with law firms, business organizations, government bodies, and community groups. Centre members have research, teaching, and consultancy interests in a variety of areas of public, private, and international law, with a strong corporate, commercial, and policy focus.