I recently attended the 150th anniversary of the University of Otago law faculty.
The faculty was founded in 1873, four years after the inception of the university itself. The first law lecturer was Sir Robert Stout, who went on to become Attorney-general, prime minister and Chief Justice.
For the first 90 years or so students studied part-time, working in law firms during the day and attending lectures and courses outside those hours.
The two-day reunion was held at the university campus with presentations taking place in one of the sizeable Castle Street lecture theatres. This venue was no stranger to us, our having sat there fresh-faced and relatively innocent many decades before.
It was interesting to see former classmates seated almost exactly where they had done so previously.
I also gravitated to my former seating area near the rear of the theatre, which provided a bird’s-eye view of proceedings.
A sufficient distance, too, that the chance of being asked a probing question by the lecturer was remote.
Given life’s generally unremitting ageing process it soon became apparent that most of us had reached a vintage wine stage, but overall were still recognisable. A major saving grace though were the large name tags, clear to even the most myopic.
In the gathering were a sprinkling of KCs, judges and a good representation of current and former law professors.
Many of my contemporaries worked as lawyers in practices throughout New Zealand, often for 40 or more years, and outside of work contributed much to the communities they lived in. Some colleagues are no longer with us, but still fondly remembered.
Guest speaker Prof Jeremy Waldron, now at New York University School of Law, was a top student at Otago in the 1970s with degrees in philosophy and law. Prof Waldron is regarded as one of the world’s leading legal and political philosophers. In the course of his address he noted with sadness the increasing decline of civility in public and political discourse.
It was an opportunity also to reflect on some of the deans who, each in their own way, made notable contributions. Prof Frank Guest was the first professor of law and the first dean of the faculty at the University of Otago, his tenure being from 1959 to 1967. This era also heralded the beginning of a full-time legal studies course.
He was succeeded by Prof Peter Sim (1968-80), a time too of transition and significant growth in student numbers. We were fortunate to have a dean of Prof Sim’s calibre and humanity. His lectures in land law were a model of brevity and clarity.
Prof Mark Henaghan was the faculty’s longest-standing dean (2000-18). Prof Henaghan was a wonderful and entertaining lecturer as well as a vibrant presence in the faculty. Following his final family law lecture in the Archway Theatre in October 2018, hundreds of students formed a guard of honour outside marking his departure with rapturous cheers.
A ‘‘Dinner for the Decades’’ was held one evening, which covered the period from 1960 onwards. This was a real highlight and chance to reminisce and remember with affection or otherwise the particular traits and idiosyncrasies of some of our lecturers and the spirit of those times.
Some recalled our sojourns to the Captain Cook Hotel, where we debriefed following exams, usually resulting in the realisation that many answers may have been rather inadequate.
However, we never had the assistance then of ChatGPT.
This reunion was a wonderful opportunity to renew old friendships, look back over the years and celebrate some happy times.
A chance too to remember those who influenced and inspired us. Albeit brief, reunions provide many special moments that enrich our lives and are to be cherished.
■Joss Miller, a retired lawyer, studied at Otago from 1970-76.
