Welcome from the Dean

The strength of any law school lies in the calibre of its staff and students, the resources of its library, and the support it gets from the profession and alumni. Auckland Law School is very fortunate on every score. Our academic staff produces world-class research, we are supported by dedicated administrative staff, and the Davis Law Library has New Zealand’s most extensive collection of legal research materials. Entry into Part II of the law degree is competitive, so we have an exceptionally well-qualified student body. And we are situated in the heart of the legal precinct of New Zealand’s commercial capital, next to the High Court and the nation’s leading law firms.

My academic colleagues have expertise that spans the range of legal subjects: from business law, tax and family law through to public and private international law, constitutional law, the Treaty of Waitangi and indigenous rights, environmental law and human rights. They have national and international reputations in their fields. The legal education we seek to offer recognises that law is part of a wider social context: it is not merely a set of rules and procedures created in isolation by legislators, administrators and judges.

Our vision of legal education includes equipping students with the capacity to think critically, and to ask questions about legal rules and institutions. Our academics participate in advisory roles to government agencies, lawyers, community and business organisations, and are active in the wider community.

Our students epitomise Auckland Law School’s philosophy of academic rigour coupled with enthusiasm for the law. 

I invite and welcome you to join us.

Professor Penelope Mathew
Dean, Auckland Law School