Leighton McDonald

Professor Leighton McDonald is a faculty member at ANU College of Law, Australian National University. His research focuses on administrative law, constitutional law, jurisprudence, and legal theory. With expertise in judicial review and rule of law, he serves as Legal Adviser to the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills.

His research interests bridge public law and legal theory, examining doctrinal foundations of administrative law and its constitutional dimensions. Recent work explores jurisdictional error, normative structures of administrative governance, and legitimacy of administrative government.

Professor McDonald has authored significant texts including 'Principles of Administrative Law' and contributes to scholarly debates through articles on judicial review mechanisms and legal interpretation frameworks.

He has received research grants including a 2013 Australian Research Council Discovery Projects grant. Currently supervising PhD candidate Benjamin Ettinger, his teaching includes Administrative Law and Judicial Review of Government Action.