Biography
Professor Danuta Mendelson is a Professor and Research Chair in Law in Deakin Law School. Danuta has authored several books including, 'The New Law of Torts (2014, 3rd edition, Oxford University Press)', and 'Interfaces of Medicine and Law: The History of the Liability for Negligently Caused Psychiatric Injury (Nervous Shock, 1998, Ashgate/Dartmouth)'. She has also published several book chapters and some 90 peer-reviewed articles published in leading Australian and international journals. Danuta's fields of research include; legal causation, abatement of medical treatment, palliative care and euthanasia, consent to and the refusal of medical treatment, confidentiality, malingering and the function of expert medical witnesses, electronic health records, damages, and torts law reform.
Recognised as a leading scholar in the law of torts and health jurisprudence in Australia and internationally, her books and articles have been cited with approval by numerous international scholars, and the judiciary, including the High Court of Australia. Danuta's work has, directly and indirectly, influenced the development of law in Australia.
She is the Key Researcher in the Law and Policy Program of the Data to Decisions Cooperative Research Centre (Data to Decisions CRC), by providing assistance to the Attorney-General’s department, National Security and Law Enforcement organisations, to meet imminent and complex legal challenges relating to legal aspects of Big Data, individual rights, privacy and national security. The CRC has a total investment of $88 million, including $25 million grant from the Australian Federal government over the period of five years.
Danuta is a member of the Centre for Cyber Security, Research and Innovation at Deakin University.
Read more on Danuta's profileResearch interests
- Law of Torts
- Medical Jurisprudence
- Comparative Law
- Legal History
- Interpretation of Statutes
Affiliations
- Member, Australian & New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL).
- Fellow, Center for International Legal Studies.
- Elected Titular Member, International Academy for Comparative Law (Academie Internationale de Droit Compare).
- Board Member, International Academy of Law and Mental Health.
- Executive Member, International Association for the Study of Pain.
- Member, International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists.
- Joint Editor, Legal Issues, Journal of Law and Medicine.
- Member of Editorial Board, International Journal of Law and Psychiatry.
- Editorial Board, Journal Law, Information and Science.
- Editorial Board, Journal of Opioid Management.
Teaching interests
- Legal Research
- Honours
Knowledge areas
- Law of Torts
- Medical Jurisprudence
- Comparative Law
- Legal History
- Statutory Interpretation
Conferences
- Mendelson, D., 'Disciplinary proceedings against doctors who abuse controlled substances', 34th Biennial World Congress of the International Academy of Law and Mental Health International Congress of Law and Mental Health Vienna, Austria, 12-17 July 2015.
- Mendelson, D., 'The Concept of ‘Pain And Suffering’ In Law: Why are ‘Pain And Suffering’ Compensated?', 34th Biennial World Congress of the International Academy of Law and Mental Health International Congress of Law and Mental Health Vienna, Austria, 12-17 July 2015.
- Mendelson, D., 'Disciplinary Proceedings for Over-prescription of Opioid Medications by Physicians in Australia (2010-2014)', International Conferences on Opioids, Joseph B. Martin Conference Center, Harvard Medical School, USA, 7-10 June 2014.
- Mendelson, D., 'From Nervous Shock to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder – Patterns in Legal History', Annual Conference of the Forensic Section of Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Australia, 17-19 July 2013.
- Mendelson, D., 'From Nervous Shock to Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Patterns in Legal History', Annual Conference of the Forensic Section of Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.
- Mendelson, D., 'Regulation of Oxycontin & Other Schedule 8 Medications', Australian Medical Association (Victorian Branch), Australia, 2012.
- Mendelson, D., 'Abolition of Expert Witness Protection by the United Kingdom Supreme Court in the case of Jones v Kaney [2011] UKSC 13', Satellite Symposium on Contemporary Medico-legal Issues and Pain, Italy.
- Mendelson, D., Dean's Professional Lecture: 'The Victorian Law Reform Commission Final Report on Guardianship and Administration Act 1986 (VIC); Concerns for Clinical Practice: Update', Monash Medical Center, Australia.
- Mendelson, D., Plenary Lecture: 'Conscientious Objection and the Law', Bioethics Colloquium, Australian Catholic University, Australia, 2011.
- Mendelson, D., 'The High Court's decision in Wicks v State Rail Authority (NSW); Sheehan v State Rail Authority (NSW) [2010] HCA 22; 241 CLR 60 in International Perspective', XXXII International Congress on Law and Mental Health, Humboldt University, Germany, 17-23 July 2011.
- Mendelson, D., Saunders, A., 'Medical Treatment of Adults Admitted neither as Involuntary Patients nor under Guardianship, but Whose Capacity to Provide Valid Consent is Impaired', XXXII International Congress on Law and Mental Health, Humboldt University, Germany, 17-23 July 2011.
- Mendelson, D., 'Law Relating to Withholding and Abatement of Life-saving and Life-prolonging Treatment in Australia', Law Faculty, Uppsala University, Sweden, 2010.
Professional activities
Research groups
- Private Law and Medical Jurisprudence
Awards
- Victorian Health Foundation Grant of $400,000 (excluding GST) to establish a Victorian Food Policy Coalition together with Associate Professor Mark Lawrence, Dr Cate Burns, and Prof Boyd Swinburn, 2009-2012.
- Pfizer Prize, Best Non-Psychiatrist Presentation, 'Intersections of Law and Psychiatry: Patients’ Competency to Decide to Withdraw or Withhold Medical Treatment', International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 39th Congress of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Christchurch, New Zealand, 10-13 May 2004.
- A prize for Excellence in Research, Faculty of Business and Law, Deakin University, 2003.
- ARC Discovery Grant, 'Electronic Health Records: Achieving an Effective and Ethical, Legal and Record-Keeping Framework', 2001.
- Australian Award (Joint) for Excellence in Academic Publishing, Torts (Sydney: Butterworths), 1997.
- Butterworths Prize for Taxation Law (Undergraduate), 1985.
Projects
- Mendelson, D., One of legal advisers on Ferrara SD, Baccino E, Boscolo-Berto R, et al, 'Padova Charter on personal injury and damage under civil-tort law', (2015) 129 Int J Legal Med 1-12 DOI 10.1007/s00414-015-1244-9, The “Padova Charter” represents findings from the international study undertaken by the International Academy of Legal Medicine to serve as benchmark set of tests for determining personal injury cases in European civil courts.
Publications
D Mendelson
(2020), pp. 83-99, Legal tech and the new sharing economy, Singapore, B1
The My Health Record system: potential to undermine the paradigm of patient confidentiality?
Gabrielle Wolf, Danuta Mendelson
(2019), Vol. 42, pp. 619-651, University of New South Wales law journal, Sydney, N.S.W., C1
Danuta Mendelson
(2018), Vol. 26, pp. 23-38, Journal of Law and Medicine, Pyrmont, N.S.W., C1
M Stumptner, W Mayer, G Grossmann, J Liu, W Li, P Casanovas, L De Koker, D Mendelson, D Watts, B Bainbridge
(2018), Vol. 10791, pp. 124-139, AI approaches to the complexity of legal systems : AICOL International Workshops 2015-2017: AICOL-VI@JURIX 2015, AICOL-VII@EKAW 2016, AICOL-VIII@JURIX 2016, AICOL-IX@ICAIL 2017, and AICOL-X@JURIX 2017, Revised Selected Papers, Bologna, Italy, E1
Health privacy and confidentiality
D Mendelson, G Wolf
(2017), pp. 266-282, Tensions and traumas in health law, Annandale, N.S.W., B1
Current and future evidence in personal damage evaluation
G Mendelson, D Mendelson
(2017), pp. 297-329, P5 Medicine and Justice Innovation, Unitariness and Evidence, Cham, Switzerland, B1
D Mendelson, D Mendelson
(2017), Vol. 3, pp. 37-55, Ethics, medicine and public health, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Regulation of Big Data: perspectives on strategy, policy, law and privacy
P Casanovas, L De Koker, D Mendelson, D Watts
(2017), Vol. 7, pp. 335-349, Health and technology, Berlin, Germany, C1
A linked democracy approach for regulating public health data
P Casanovas, D Mendelson, M Poblet
(2017), Vol. 7, pp. 519-537, Health and technology, Berlin, Germany, C1
Voluntary assisted dying legislation in Victoria: what can we learn from the Netherlands experience?
D Mendelson
(2017), Vol. 25, pp. 30-45, Journal of law and medicine, New York, N.Y., C1
Issues of medical and legal causation relating to Alzheimer's disease
R Helme, D Mendelson
(2016), pp. 270-286, Causation in Law and Medicine, Abingdon, Eng., B1
Mental health legislation (civil) in Australia and China: A comparative perspective
D Mendelson, N Lin
(2016), Vol. 23, pp. 762-779, Journal of law and medicine, Rozelle, N.S.W., C1
"My [electronic] health record"-cui bono (for whose benefit)?
D Mendelson, G Wolf
(2016), Vol. 24, pp. 283-296, Journal of Law and Medicine, Australia, C1
Disciplinary proceedings against doctors who abuse controlled substances
D Mendelson
(2015), Vol. 23, pp. 24-40, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, N.S.W., C1
D Mendelson
(2014), Vol. 21, pp. 762-773, Journal of law and medicine, Rozelle, NSW, C1
D Mendelson
(2014), Vol. 22, pp. 255-279, Journal of Law and Medicine, NSW, Australia, C1
D Mendelson, I Haywood
(2014), Vol. 21, pp. 762-773, Journal of law and medicine, Rozelle, N.S.W., C1-1
D Mendelson, M Bagaric
(2013), pp. 167-178, Le ragioni degli altri : mediazione e famiglia tra conflitto e dialogo : una prospettiva comparatistica ed interdisciplinare, Turin, Italy, B1
Assisted suicide through the prism of the right to life
D Mendelson, M Bagaric
(2013), Vol. 36, pp. 406-418, International journal of law and psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Opioid regulation : time to reconsider the nomenclature and approach
D Mendelson
(2013), Vol. 21, pp. 27-39, Journal of law and medicine, Rozelle, N.S.W., C1
The interface of the civil and criminal law of suicide at common law (1194-1845)
D Mendelson, I Freckelton
(2013), Vol. 36, pp. 343-349, International journal of law and psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Legal issues OPIOID REGULATION: TIME TO RECONSIDER THE NOMENCLATURE AND APPROACH
Danuta Mendelson, George Mendelson
(2013), Vol. 21, pp. 27-38, JOURNAL OF LAW AND MEDICINE, C1-1
Punitive damages sensu stricto in Australia
D Mendelson
(2012), pp. 147-163, The power of punitive damages – is Europe missing out?, Cambridge, England, B1
D Mendelson
(2012), Vol. 19, pp. 651-666, Journal of law and medicine, Rozelle, N.S.W., C1
From expert witness to defendant : abolition of expert witness protection and its implications
D Mendelson
(2012), Vol. 20, pp. 250-260, Journal of law and medicine, Rozelle, N.S.W., C1
D Mendelson
(2012), Vol. 35, pp. 480-489, International journal of law and psychiatry, Kidlington, England, C1
D Mendelson, R Carter
(2012), Vol. 31, pp. 32-53, University of Tasmania law review, Hobart, Tas., C1
Danuta Mendelson
(2012), Vol. 20, pp. 250-260, JOURNAL OF LAW AND MEDICINE, C1-1
Danuta Mendelson
(2012), Vol. 19, pp. 651-666, JOURNAL OF LAW AND MEDICINE, C1-1
Operation of guardianship laws in the emergency ward
D Mendelson, A Saunders
(2011), Vol. 19, pp. 13-31, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1
Software developer policies : economics and s 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010
M D’Rosario, A Torre, D Mendelson, L Griggs
(2011), Vol. 21, pp. 1-25, Journal of law, information and science, Hobart, Tas., C1
Confidentiality, privacy and access to health records
D Mendelson, A Rees
(2010), pp. 301-340, Health law in Australia, Pyrmont, N.S.W., B1
Healthcare identifiers legislation : a whiff of Fourberie
D Mendelson
(2010), Vol. 17, pp. 660-676, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, N.S.W., C1
Economic impact of Wicks v State Rail Authority (NSW) (2010) 84 ALJR 497
D Mendelson, A Torre, M D'Rosario
(2010), Vol. 18, pp. 221-238, Journal of law and medicine, Rozelle, N.S.W, C1
Legal issues HEALTHCARE IDENTIFIERS LEGISLATION: A WHIFF OF FOURBERIE
Danuta Mendelson
(2010), Vol. 17, pp. 660-676, JOURNAL OF LAW AND MEDICINE, C1-1
D Mendelson
(2009), pp. 817-841, Appealing to the future : Michael Kirby and his legacy, Pyrmont, N.S.W., B1
Prevention of suicide : police powers, parliamentary intent and judicial interpretation
D Mendelson
(2009), Vol. 16, pp. 728-744, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, N.S.W., C1
Defendants' liability for pure mental harm to third parties in Australia : still a work in progress
D Mendelson
(2009), Vol. 17, pp. 165-177, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, N.S.W., C1
Legal issues PREVENTION OF SUICIDE: POLICE POWERS, PARLIAMENTARY INTENT AND JUDICIAL INTERPRETATION
Danuta Mendelson
(2009), Vol. 16, pp. 728-744, JOURNAL OF LAW AND MEDICINE, C1-1
Family carers : ethical and legal issues
M Ashby, D Mendelson
(2008), pp. 93-111, Family carers in palliative care : a guide for health and social care professionals, Oxford, England, B1-1
Damages for pain and suffering in tort law
D Mendelson
(2008), Vol. 15, pp. 669-680, The journal of law and medicine, Sydney, N.S.W., C1
A Boneh, S Allan, D Mendelson, M Spriggs, L Gillam, S Korman
(2008), Vol. 94, pp. 143-147, Molecular genetics and metabolism, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
Substituted consent : from lunatics to corpses
D Mendelson
(2007), Vol. 14, pp. 449-462, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1
Roman concept of mental capacity to make end-of-life decisions
D Mendelson
(2007), Vol. 30, pp. 201-212, International journal of law and psychiatry, New York, N.Y., C1
Arbitrating 'end-of-life' decisions: issues, processes, and the role of the law
D Mendelson, M Ashby
(2006), pp. 363-378, Disputes and dilemmas in health law, Annandale, NSW, B1
Privacy issues, health connect and beyond
L Iacovina, D Mendelson, M Paterson
(2006), pp. 604-621, Disputes and dilemmas in health law, Annandale, N.S.W., B1
Assessment of competency : a primer
D Mendelson
(2006), Vol. 14, pp. 156-166, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1
Jurisprudential legerdemain : damages for gratuitous services and attendant care
D Mendelson
(2005), Vol. 12, pp. 402-412, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1
The modern Australian law of mental harm: parochialism triumphant
D Mendelson
(2005), Vol. 13, pp. 164-172, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1
Legal issues JURISPRUDENTIAL LEGERDEMAIN: DAMAGES FOR GRATUITOUS SERVICES AND ATTENDANT CARE
Danuta Mendelson
(2005), Vol. 12, pp. 402-412, JOURNAL OF LAW AND MEDICINE, C1-1
Australian tort law reform: statutory principles of causation and the common law
D Mendelson
(2004), Vol. 11, pp. 492-509, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1
Electronic medical records: perils of outsourcing and the Privacy Act 1988 (CTH)
D Mendelson
(2004), Vol. 12, pp. 8-13, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1
HealthConnect and the duty of care: a dilemma for medical practitioners
D Mendelson
(2004), Vol. 12, pp. 69-79, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1
D Mendelson, M Ashby
(2004), Vol. 11, pp. 282-291, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1
Gardner; re BWW: Victorian Supreme Court makes landmark Australian ruling on tube feeding
M Ashby, D Mendelson
(2004), Vol. 181, pp. 442-445, Medical journal of Australia, Sydney, NSW, C1
Malingering pain in the medicolegal context
G Mendelson, D Mendelson
(2004), Vol. 20, pp. 423-432, Clinical journal of pain, New York, N.Y., C1
Medicolegal aspects of chronic pain
G Mendelson, D Mendelson, N Hadler
(2003), pp. 173-188, Clinical pain management chronic pain, London, England, B1
Travels of a medical record and the myth of privacy
D Mendelson
(2003), Vol. 11, pp. 136-145, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, N.S.W., C1
A comparative study of the law of palliative care and end- of- life treatment
D Mendelson, T Jost
(2003), Vol. 31, pp. 130-143, Journal of law, medicine and ethics, Boston, Mass., C1
Natural death in 2003: are we slipping backwards?
M Ashby, D Mendelson
(2003), Vol. 10, pp. 260-264, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1
D Mendelson
(2003), Vol. 23, pp. 308-344, Melbourne University law review, Melbourne, Vic., C1-1
Aspects of causation in hippocratic medicine and Roman law of delict
D Mendelson
(2002), pp. 58-82, Causation in law and medicine, Aldershot, England, B1
I Freckleton, D Mendelson
(2002), pp. 1-, Causation in law and medicine, Aldershot, England, B1
Issues of medical and legal causation relating to Alzheimer`s disease
R Helme, D Mendelson
(2002), pp. 270-286, Causation in law and medicine, Aldershot, England, B1
Judicial responses to the protected confidential communications legislation in Australia
D Mendelson
(2002), Vol. 10, pp. 49-60, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1
D Mendelson
(2002), Vol. 25, pp. 303-329, International journal of law and psychiatry, New York, N.Y., C1
Legal liability for pain management involving opioid medication: an American perspective
D Mendelson
(2002), Vol. 10, pp. 145-154, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1
D Mendelson, T Jost, M Ashby
(2002), pp. 803-822, Proceedings of the 10th World Congress on Pain, San Diego, Calif., E1
Liability for negligent failure to disclose medical risks
D Mendelson
(2001), Vol. 8, pp. 358-367, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1
Jones -v- Bartlett: landlords` liability to tenants and members of their household in negligence
D Mendelson
(2001), Vol. 6, pp. 174-183, Deakin law review, Burwood, Vic., C1
Quo iure? Defendants' liability to rescuers in the tort of negligence
D Mendelson
(2001), Vol. 9, pp. 130-163, Tort law review, North Ryde, NSW, C1
Aspects of legal liability in pain management involving opioid medications
D Mendelson
(2001), Vol. 9, pp. 145-152, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1
D Mendelson
(1999), Vol. 6, pp. 319-322, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1-1
D Mendelson
(1999), Vol. 7, pp. 230-234, Progress in palliative care, Leeds, England, C1-1
The medical duty of confidentiality in the Hippocratic tradition and Jewish medical ethics
D Mendelson
(1998), Vol. 5, pp. 227-238, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1-1
The history of damages for psychiatric injury
D Mendelson
(1997), Vol. 4, pp. 169-175, Psychiatry, psychology and law, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
D Mendelson
(1996), Vol. 17, pp. 1-71, Journal of legal medicine, Chicago, Ill., C1-1
K Wang, D Mendelson
(1996), Vol. 4, pp. 1-36, Torts law journal, Sydney, N.S.W., C1-1
Statutory regimes relating to third party consent by patients with Alzheimer's type dementia
D Mendelson
(1996), Vol. 3, pp. 11-23, Psychiatry, psychology and law, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
D Mendelson
(1995), Vol. 39, pp. 721-735, Journal of psychosomatic research, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
D Mendelson
(1995), Vol. 18, pp. 425-436, International journal of law and psychiatry, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1-1
Mr Cruel and the medical duty of confidentiality
D Mendelson
(1993), Vol. 1, pp. 120-129, Journal of law and medicine, North Ryde, NSW, C1-1
Tarasoff down under : the psychiatrist's duty to warn in Australia
D Mendelson, G Mendelson
(1991), pp. 33-61, Journal of psychiatry & law, New York, N. Y., C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Other Public Sector Funding
The Food Alliance (formerly the Food Policy Coalition)
Prof Mark Lawrence, Prof Boyd Swinburn, Prof Danuta Mendelson, Mrs Kathy McConell
VicHealth Tender
- 2014: $50,000
- 2013: $170,000
- 2012: $160,000
- 2011: $130,000
- 2010: $130,000
- 2009: $130,000
Other Funding Sources
Big Data Technology and National Security: Comparative International Perspectives on Strategy, Policy and Law in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand and Canada
Prof Louis De Koker, Prof Danuta Mendelson, Prof Janet Chan, A/Prof Lyria Bennet Moses, Dr Alana Maraushat
Data to Decisions CRC
- 2016: $78,383
- 2015: $73,121
Guiding principles in the design, regulation, implementation, governance and oversight of data-based decision-support technologies for law enforcement and national security - Project A1
Prof Louis De Koker, Prof Pompeu Casanovas Romeu, Prof Danuta Mendelson, Dr Bridget Bainbridge, A/Prof Lyria Bennet Moses, Prof Janet Chan, Dr Alana Maraushat, Mr David Vaile
Data to Decisions CRC
- 2016: $34,439
Identity assurance - B1
Prof Louis De Koker, Prof Pompeu Casanovas Romeu, Prof Danuta Mendelson, Dr Bridget Bainbridge, A/Prof Gabrielle Wolf, Prof Sandeep Gopalan
Data to Decisions CRC
- 2016: $115,535
Supervisions
George Douglas Raitt
Thesis entitled: Misuse of Market Power and the Hypothetical Competitive Market Standard
Doctor of Philosophy, Deakin Law School
Carol Anne Newlands
Thesis entitled: The Legal Nature of Medical Panels and Medical Questions
Doctor of Philosophy, Deakin Law School
Richard James Polkinghorn
Thesis entitled: Vulnerable Adults, Law and Virtue Jurisprudence in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and in the Court of Protection in England and Wales
Doctor of Philosophy, Deakin Law School
Rachel Anne Carter
Thesis entitled: National Catastrophe Insurance Scheme: Legal and Institutional Aspects
Doctor of Philosophy, Deakin Law School
Ian Charles Wheatley
Thesis entitled: Professional Autonomy of Victorian Surgeons in the Context of Law and Ethics
Doctor of Philosophy, School of Law
Theodosios Alexander
Thesis entitled: A Rational Approach to Sentencing White-Collar Offenders
Doctor of Philosophy, Deakin Law School
Rami Hanegbi
Thesis entitled: Retirement Policy in an Ageing Society
Doctor of Philosophy, Deakin Law School
Sharon Erbacher
Thesis entitled: Negligence and the Wrongdoing Plaintiff: A Corrective Justice Analysis
Doctor of Philosophy, Deakin Law School
Neera Bhatia
Thesis entitled: Medico-Legal Decision Making for Incapacitated Neonates
Doctor of Philosophy, School of Law
Keith Raymond Akers
Thesis entitled: An Analysis of Australian Law Regarding Animal usage in Bio-medical Research
Doctor of Philosophy, School of Law