And the centre might also shed new light on many subjects, including how to run potential online courts and better ways to protect religious freedom.
Otago University has just become New Zealand’s first university to host a centre in this popular international field.
The new Otago Centre for Law and Society Te Pokapu Ture me te Papori ki Otakou aims to promote multidisciplinary discussions about the complex effects that law has on people’s lives.
The centre has four Otago co-directors, from religion, history and law, and will support collaborative research projects, public events and academic symposiums to give insights into the interactions of law, society, religion, culture, race and other factors.
Co-director Prof Ben Schonthal, of religion, said this was a "growing area" internationally.
"We’re very excited about the possibility that this could raise the [international] profile of Otago," Prof Schonthal said.
Several countries, including in Asia, had tried to protect religious freedom by adding to state law.
However, in some cases these efforts had actually increased tensions between some faith communities, Prof Schonthal said.
Another co-director, Dr Bridgette Toy-Cronin, said the centre could offer wider perspectives on potential new online courts.
"A legal problem may not only have legal solutions," she added.
Sociology, psychology and economics could also make important contributions, she said.
British Columbia, in Canada, already offers a largely online Civil Resolution Tribunal.
Co-director Dr Anna High, of law, said the law and society movement believed that law was not autonomous but "situated in the social context".
