Adelaide University acts on Law School Review

Wednesday, 18 April 2001

Adelaide University has determined its response to the Review of its Law School, which was released in February.

The Review, conducted by four distinguished lawyers external to the School, brought forward 41 recommendations on how the Law School could enhance the quality of its teaching, research and professional outreach.

In its response the University has established a committee to oversee the implementation of a series of recommendations. Over the coming months the School will change aspects of its admission policy and degree arrangements, and review its teaching practices. It will clarify its relations with the profession, and professional bodies such as the Law Society, and will seek to involve the profession more directly in the teaching of its courses.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Mary O'Kane said the University welcomed the opportunity to reposition the School. "Essential to that process will be the appointment of a Dean at professorial level to lead the School over the next five years," she said.

"While many of the Review's recommendations can be implemented over the coming months, the longer-term strategic placement of the School will rest in the hands of the new Dean," Professor O'Kane said. "We hope to make an outstanding appointment in mid-year, so that major initiatives for the future can be determined as soon as possible."

"Adelaide University's Law School has a distinguished history. It has produced graduates who have gone on to make their mark not only in law but in academia, politics, business and many other fields. The changes we will be putting in place will help to re-establish the School as an institution of national and international standing."

The task of overseeing the many changes in the Law School will fall to Professor Malcolm Gillies, as Executive Dean of Performing Arts, Law, Architecture, Commerce and Economics. Professor Gillies will convene an advisory board to assist the Dean, Ms Kathleen McEvoy, in seeing through most of the pedagogic, research and administrative changes by the end of the year.

"The University will invest up to $2 million in this change process over the period 2001-2003," Professor Gillies stated. "These funds will be contingent upon the School meeting a series of performance milestones over the next two-and-a-half years."

 

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