Law: Policy paper

What is a policy paper?

A policy paper or brief (sometimes called a policy memo) is an advocacy tool which is typically used to influence change on a broader scale. The writer’s aim is to engage and persuade a target audience, usually non-specialist, that your proposed solution to a contemporary issue is practical, credible and necessary to create positive change. A policy paper in law is usually advocating for reform in a particular area of the law.

What is the purpose of a policy paper?

In law, the purpose of a policy paper is to convince a policy maker to advocate changing course on a specific policy issue. Governments often call for public submissions when they conduct an inquiry into a certain area of law, or amend or bring in new legislation. You might find a policy paper/brief is referred to as a "policy submission", indicating that the document is submitted to the policy maker for consideration.

How to write a policy paper

Examples and resources of policy papers/submissions

Examples:

There are many examples of policy papers online. Please note that these are examples only.  Some may be submissions to law reform bodies, others may be called policy papers or briefs. It is important to follow the assignment instructions given by your lecturer. The examples below are policy submissions to the Australian Law Reform Commission.

Australian Law Reform Commission: ‘ALRC submission: NT Law Reform Inquiry into the mandatory sentencing and community-based sentencing options.’

Australian Law Reform Commission: ‘ALRC submission: Inquiry into the indefinite detention of people with cognitive and psychiatric impairment in Australia.’

Resources:

Australian Law Reform Commission, ‘Making a submission’

Federation of Community Legal Centres, ‘The Change Toolkit’

Catherine F. Smith, Writing public policy : a practical guide to communicating in the policy making process (Oxford University Press, 4th edition, 2016).

Australian National University - Academic skills, 'Policy brief'

Sources of evidence to support your policy paper

The following resources are a selection of databases which may be useful as a starting point. As always, you will need to evaluate and assess your results and their relevance to your research.