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University of Canterbury Faculty of Law

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Coordinates: 43°31′30″S 172°35′04″E / 43.525°S 172.5844°E / -43.525; 172.5844
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University of Canterbury
Faculty of Law
Te Kaupeka Ture (Māori)
Meremere Building in August 2024
TypePublic Law school
Established1873; 151 years ago (1873)
1877; 147 years ago (1877) (LL.B. first offered)
Parent institution
University of Canterbury
AccreditationNew Zealand Council of Legal Education
DeanPetra Butler
Total staff
49 (2024)[1]
Students1,534 (2024)[2]
Location
Christchurch
,
New Zealand

43°31′30″S 172°35′04″E / 43.525°S 172.5844°E / -43.525; 172.5844
Websitecanterbury.ac.nz/law

The UC Faculty of Law (informally UC School of Law; Māori: Te Kaupeka Ture) is the law school at the University of Canterbury. The Faculty of Law and the University of Otago Faculty of Law were both established in 1873, making them the oldest law schools in New Zealand. The Faculty began offering a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in 1877.[3][4] Currently located in the Meremere building at Canterbury's Ilam campus, the faculty will move to the Karl Popper building in 2025.[5]

History

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The University of New Zealand was founded in 1870. In 1872 the Canterbury Collegiate Union was established and this subsequently became Canterbury University College, affiliated to the University of New Zealand. By 1873, law students had the option to substitute university arts courses for the general knowledge exam, and initial law classes began at the University of Otago and Canterbury University College.[3]

In 1874, Charles James Foster, who had previously served as a professor of jurisprudence at University College London, was appointed as a lecturer in jurisprudence. In 1877, the University of New Zealand introduced the LL.B. The response to Foster’s teaching methods in law was largely negative, with practitioners criticising the overly academic nature of his approach. As a result, students chose to complete their courses mainly through private study, leading to the cessation of lectures in early 1880.[6]

In 1883, William Izard took over the role of lecturer. His lectures were described as “sound” and delivered in a “pleasant, informal, and chatty manner.” Izard also promoted “habits of steady reading,” although his demanding lecturing schedule had a negative impact on his bridge-playing activities.[3][7]

In 1902, George Weston succeeded Izard as lecturer. Weston taught jurisprudence and delivered seven additional lectures on subjects including roman law, international law, and conflict of laws. He encountered difficulties due to an inadequate library and a lack of New Zealand textbooks. Despite these obstacles, Weston’s students included “schoolmasters transitioning to new professions, law clerks, and individuals preparing for possible career changes.” Weston and his successors, all of whom were local practitioners, taught alone until 1912, when an assistant lecturer was appointed. The staff was further expanded in 1922 with the addition of another assistant.[3]

By 1970, three permanent full-time chairs in law were established. The first professor, Hamish Gray, was appointed in 1957. Subsequently, two additional chairs were created in 1968, filled by George Hinde and Robin Caldwell, and another chair was established in 1973, which was filled by John Burrows.[3] In January 1974 the Faculty moved from the old University to the Ilam campus.[7]

Commemoration plaque for the opening of the Law building.

On the 2 July 1993 the faculty moved into the newly constructed law building (now the Meremere building). The building was officially opened by alumnus and then Court of Appeal Justice, Ivor Richardson.[8]

Prior to 2023, the faculty of law was joined with the UC Business School, under the college of business and law. As part of a realignment of faculty organisation, in 2023 the college was split with the law and business becoming separate faculties.[9]

Academic Profile

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Degrees conferred

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The faculty awards the degrees of Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LL.B.(Hons)) Master of Laws (LL.M.), Bachelor of Criminal Justice (B.CJ.), Master of Criminal Justice (M.CJ.), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and the Doctor of Laws (LL.D.).[10] Canterbury is the only University to offer the bachelor and master of criminal justice in New Zealand in 2014.[11]

Canterbury Gold Medal in Law

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One of New Zealand's longest-standing academic prizes, the Canterbury Gold Medal in Law, is awarded annually to the best student graduating LL.B. at the University of Canterbury. The prize was first awarded in 1883, but was originally awarded to barristers and to solicitors until 1912, when the Canterbury District Law Society awarded the prize only to Canterbury graduates.[12] Notable winners include former Supreme Court Justices Andrew Tipping & William Young;[13][14] and former President of the Court of Appeal Ivor Richardson.[7]

Organisations and publications

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Clubs

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Lawsoc Logo 2023

UC Law has eight affiliated clubs: the Law Students' Society (LAWSOC), Te Putaiki Māori Law Students' Society, Pasifika Law Students' Society (PLSS), Asian Law Students' Society (ALSS), Women in Law, Law for Change, MootSoc, Crimsoc, and Queer in Law (QUIL). Among these, LAWSOC is the oldest, having been established in 1923. Notable presidents include former High Court Justice Gerald Nation and current High Court Justice Andru Isac. [15][16]

LAWSOC annually presents the "Law Revue" a production written and performed by law students. The revue offers satirical commentary on current affairs, pop culture, law, and university life. It has been a tradition since its inception in 1995, running for 28 years.[17] In 2019, students faced disciplinary action due to their involvement in a revue production that included content mocking a partially deaf student. Other parts of the show, dubbed "disgusting" by one attendee, were criticised for being sexist and racist.[18]

Journals

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The Canterbury Law Review is a peer-reviewed law journal established in 1980.[3] The journal is the second most-read law journal in New Zealand.[19][20]

Canterbury Law Review
DisciplineLaw
LanguageEnglish
Publication details
History1980–present
Publisher
Canterbury Law Review Trust at the University of Canterbury (New Zealand)
FrequencyAnnually
Standard abbreviations
BluebookCanta LR
ISO 4Canterbury L.Rev.
Indexing
ISSN0112-0581
Links

Notable Publications

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A significant number of the textbooks used in legal studies in New Zealand were authored by faculty members from the University of Canterbury's Faculty of Law. Some notable texts include:[21]

  • Burrows and Cheer Media Law in New Zealand
  • Burrows, Finn and Todd on the Law of Contract in New Zealand
  • Elizabeth Toomey New Zealand Land Law
  • Elizabeth Toomey Sports Law in New Zealand
  • Joseph on Constitutional and Administrative Law
  • Lynne Taylor Corporate Law in New Zealand
  • Lynne Taylor The Law of Insolvency in New Zealand
  • Todd on Torts (formerly The Law of Torts in New Zealand)

Notable People

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Notable Alumni

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Main category: University of Canterbury Faculty of Law alumni
See also: University of Canterbury people in the law

Since 1873, the UC Faculty of Law has produced a prominent group of alumni.

Feleti Teo, Prime Minister of Tuvalu (LLB, 1986)
William Young, Justice of the Supreme Court (LLB(Hons), 1974)

Deans

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John Burrows was apart of the faculty's teaching staff from 1963 – 2006; Dean from 1980 – 1986; and Professor from 1975.
  • 1957 – 1968, Hamish Gray
  • 1969, Position Vacant
  • 1970 – 1974, L. John Ryan
  • 1975 – 1980, Robert ('Robin') Caldwell
  • 1980 – 1986, John Burrows
  • 1987 – 1988, John Farrar[22]
  • 1989 – 2001, Gerald ('Gerry') Orchard[23]
  • 2002, Stephen Todd
  • 2003 – 2004, Scott Davidson
  • 2005, Stephen Todd
  • 2006 – 2008, Scott Davidson
  • 2009, Position Vacant
  • 2010 – 2012, Richard Scragg
  • 2012 – 2015, Chris Gallavin[24]
  • 2016 – 2022, Ursula Cheer
  • 2022 – 2023, John Page
  • 2023 – 2024, Karen Scott (acting)
  • 2024 – present, Petra Butler[25]

Notable Faculty

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References

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  1. ^ "Contact Law and Criminal Justice | University of Canterbury". www.canterbury.ac.nz. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  2. ^ "Total number of enrolled law students - a Official Information Act request to University of Canterbury". FYI. 2024-04-30. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Spiller, Peter --- "The History of New Zealand Legal Education: A Study in Ambivalence" [1993] LegEdRev 10; (1993) 4(2) Legal Education Review 223". classic.austlii.edu.au. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  4. ^ "UC Law history | University of Canterbury". www.canterbury.ac.nz. 2023-08-25. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  5. ^ "GETS | University of Canterbury - Faculty of Law to Karl Popper". www.gets.govt.nz. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  6. ^ "Farra, Professor J H --- "Dr C. J. Foster-Canterbury's First Law Teacher" [1980] CanterLawRw 2; (1980) 1(1) Canterbury Law Review 5". www.nzlii.org. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  7. ^ a b c d "Matso, Isobel --- "Historical Note 1873- 1980" [1980] CanterLawRw 1; (1980) 1(1) Canterbury Law Review 1". www.nzlii.org. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  8. ^ Prebble, John; Crawford, Allegra; Lincoln, Laura (2024-01-09). "Richardson Paper 94 Opening of New Law building, University of Canterbury" (PDF). Victoria University of Wellington Faculty. Retrieved 2024-01-09.
  9. ^ "Faculties | University of Canterbury". www.canterbury.ac.nz. 2023-07-27. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  10. ^ "Law and Criminal Justice qualifications | University of Canterbury". www.canterbury.ac.nz. 2023-11-05. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  11. ^ "Bachelor of Criminal Justice | University of Canterbury". Study with New Zealand. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  12. ^ "Canterbury Gold Medal in Law". New Zealand Law Society | Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa. 2020-01-09. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  13. ^ "UC graduates win prestigious law medals – delay because of earthquakes". infonews.co.nz. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  14. ^ "William Young | Doctor of Laws | University of Canterbury". www.canterbury.ac.nz. 2023-07-24. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  15. ^ "Law and Criminal Justice clubs and societies | University of Canterbury". www.canterbury.ac.nz. 2024-02-26. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  16. ^ "Clubs". ucsa.org.nz. Retrieved 2024-08-26.
  17. ^ "Law Revue Review 2023". Canta. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  18. ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
  19. ^ "Canterbury Law Review". www.nzlii.org. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  20. ^ "Canterbury Law Review - Westlaw NZ". Thomson Reuters New Zealand. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  21. ^ "UC Law history | University of Canterbury". www.canterbury.ac.nz. 2023-08-25. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  22. ^ "John Farrar". Bond University. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  23. ^ "Burrows, John --- "In memoriam - Gerald Finlay Orchard" [2003] CanterLawRw 8; (2003) 9 Canterbury Law Review 227". www.nzlii.org. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  24. ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
  25. ^ "University of Canterbury appoints Victoria University of Wellington professor as dean of law". www.thelawyermag.com. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  26. ^ "New YearHonours 2017 - Citations for Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC)". www.dpmc.govt.nz. 2016-12-15. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  27. ^ "John Burrows | Doctor of Laws | University of Canterbury". www.canterbury.ac.nz. 2023-07-24. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  28. ^ "Special Recognition For UC Academic Appointed King's Counsel". Press Release: University of Canterbury. 3 July 2024. Retrieved 25 August 2024 – via www.scoop.co.nz.
  29. ^ "2021 Professor Stephen Todd FRSNZ". Royal Society Te Apārangi. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
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