<P> Until 1963, the High Court regarded decisions of the House of Lords binding, and there was substantial uniformity between Australian and English common law . In 1978, the High Court declared that it was no longer bound by decisions of the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council . </P> <P> A bilateral treaty (between two nations) or a multilateral treaty (among more than two nations, or organised by an International body) can be a source of Australian law . Australia has entered into a substantial number of treaties . Although treaties can legally be entered into by the executive government of the day (not necessarily Parliament), in practice treaties are tabled in both houses of Parliament 15 days prior to signing . They are generally organised and administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who advise "The general position under Australian law is that treaties which Australia has joined, apart from those terminating a state of war, are not directly and automatically incorporated into Australian law . Signature and ratification do not, of themselves, make treaties operate domestically . In the absence of legislation, treaties cannot impose obligations on individuals nor create rights in domestic law . Nevertheless, international law, including treaty law, is a legitimate and important influence on the development of the common law and may be used in the interpretation of statutes ." Treaties can be implemented through executive action, and often existing laws are sufficient to ensure a treaty is honoured . </P> <P> The main substantive areas of law in Australia include: </P> <Ul> <Li> Administrative law - which deals with the laws governing the lawful exercise of Executive power and the review of government decisions . </Li> <Li> Constitutional law - which governs issues arising under the Australian Constitution, such as the validity of laws and the separation of powers . </Li> <Li> Contract law - which governs agreements, and which is derived from and very similar to English contract law . </Li> <Li> Corporations law - which includes the incorporation and regulation of companies and other collective entities . </Li> <Li> Criminal law - which deals with crime and punishment, and is principally regulated by laws of the States and territories . </Li> <Li> Environment and planning law - which governs land use and planning, and environmental protection, and is largely regulated by the States . </Li> <Li> Equity - which is primarily concerned with unconscionable conduct, and supplements other areas of civil law such as contract and property law . </Li> <Li> Family law - which is regulated by federal legislation . Disputes are usually heard in the Family Court of Australia . </Li> <Li> Insolvency law - which governs the winding up of corporations, and is regulated largely by the federal Corporations Act 2001 . </Li> <Li> Intellectual property law - which governs copyright, designs, and patents, and is regulated largely by federal statutes . </Li> <Li> Property law - which governs rights and obligations regarding personal and real property . </Li> <Li> Tax law - which arises from federal and State statutes regulating taxation in Australia . </Li> <Li> Tort law - which governs civil wrongs such as negligence, trespass, defamation, nuisance, conversion, and detinue . </Li> </Ul>

Where does the australian legal system come from