Dundee Law 1865-1967

This book traces the evolution of law teaching in Dundee from 1865 to 1967. It begins with the earliest recorded classes, and continues through events such as the institution of the first University College Dundee law classes, the introduction of BL and LLB degrees, the founding of the first chairs, and the creation of a Law Faculty. It concludes with the ending of the BL, but the institution of the modern LLB in Dundee and the establishing of Dundee University.

On the way, it considers UCD’s lengthy “affiliation” to St Andrews University, the BCom debacle, the LNER Railway Lectures, the Polish “soldier-students”, and the introduction of English Law teaching.

But it also traces this evolution in terms of the identities and careers of those delivering law teaching, noting the post-war rise of full-time staff, and that Dundee appointed the first woman law academic in Scotland. It also traces it in terms of those receiving law teaching, including the identities of some of the more noteworthy, their numbers, gender and achievements.

This account is located within the radical, even revolutionary, changes in both professional legal education and university legal education in the mid-nineteenth century (including the creation of the national legal qualification of “law agent” with unified admission requirements, and the institution of the original part-time Ordinary LLB and BL degrees) and mid-twentieth century (including termination of the BL, but introduction of full-time Honours LLBs and full-time apprenticeships).

The launch in the Dundee Law School was attended by Lady Clark of Calton, Dr Joe Morrow, the Lord Lyon, (both Dundee graduates) and Professor Hector MacQueen.

The book is available from Abertay Historical Society