UQ Law School explained

UQ Law School
Motto:Inspiration; Innovation; Impact
Parent:University of Queensland
Established:1936; 88 years ago
Type:Public university
Dean:Rick Bigwood
City:Brisbane
State:Queensland
Country:Australia
Students:Yearly intake of ~200[1]
Faculty:93[2]
Qsranking:53rd (2023)

The UQ Law School (also known as TC Beirne School of Law) is the law school of the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. Founded in 1936, UQ law school is the sixth oldest law school in Australia and the oldest operating in Queensland.

The entering undergraduate class of 2023 was approximately 67 students.[3] To date, the school has nearly 3000 alumni.[4] Additionally, UQ Law School offers LLM, MICLaw, MICLaw/MCom, MIL, MIR/MIL,[5] MPhil[6] and PhD degrees.[7]

The ULS is home to one of Australia's largest academic law libraries called the Walter Harrison Law Library. The library was built almost 70 years ago in 1949.[8] [9] The school has over 93 professional and academic staff. According to the University of Queensland, 81% of 300 students who had graduated from UQ Law school in 2016 had current employment.[10]

History

Although the Law School began properly teaching in 1936, a Faculty of Law was established pro forma with the foundation of the University of Queensland in 1911.[11] This enabled the university to confer ad eundem gradum degrees, an honorary degree recognizing the award given by another university, and Doctors of Laws honoris causa, recognizing the contribution of selected persons toward the establishment of the university.

A limited number of law subjects began to be taught in 1926 when the first Garrick Professor of Law was appointed. However, this was under the ambit of the university's Faculty of Arts, as no law school had been properly established yet. In 1935 Thomas Charles Beirne endowed the university with £20,000, enabling the university's senate to officially approve the law school on 10 May 1935. In May 1936, students commenced studies under the newly formed TC Beirne School of Law.

Reputation and student achievements

Since 1935, twenty-seven UQ Law graduates have won Rhodes scholarships.[12] [13] [14] In 2020, two UQ law students won scholarships to study at the University of Cambridge.[15] Eleven UQ Law students have won Fulbright Scholarships since 1955.[16] Ten UQ Law students have won New Colombo Plan Scholarships or Mobility Grant Programs since 2014.[17] [18] [19] [20] [21] [22]

The UQ School of Law is well regarded as one of the world's foremost law schools for mooting; significant mooting achievements include the following:

Notable international advocacy competition accolades

Notable domestic advocacy competition accolades

NICA Ranking[43]

The NICA rankings evaluate law schools based on their performance in moot court competitions. The rankings consider two factors: the weight of the competitions, determined by the number of participating law schools, and the advancement of teams within these competitions. The system provides a straightforward comparison of law schools' performance in moot courts.

The UQ Law School boasts a leading mooting program, with its students consistently excelling in international moot court competitions. Between 2013 and 2023, they achieved an average world ranking of 27th and an Australian ranking of 3rd, making UQ Law School the highest-ranked law school for mooting in Australia.

UQ Law School Mooting NICA Rankings 2013-2023[44] !!2013!2014!2015!2016!2017!2018!2019!2020!2021!2022!2023!Average
World Ranking25th1st46th22nd13th1st15th10th106th41st17th27th
Australian Ranking5th1st4th5th3rd1st2nd1st7th5th1st3rd

Building

In 2015, the University of Queensland (UQ) undertook a refurbishment of the west wing of the heritage-listed Forgan Smith building. The project aimed to reimagine the School of Law and the Walter Harrison Law Library, resulting in a program restructure and a smaller cohort size.[45] The refurbishment was completed in 2017 by Brisbane-based architecture firm BVN.[46] The redesigned west wing of the Forgan Smith building has received recognition, including several awards:[46]

Academics

The UQ Law School is Queensland's premier law school; usually achieving the highest rank for law of any Queensland university.[47] [48] The UQ Law School is Australia's best academically-performing law school, as measured by the averaged QS citations per paper (CPP) and QS H-Index citations (H-index) ranking, at 27.5; ANU College of Law follows UQ Law at an averaged CPP & H-index ranking of 38.5.

University of Queensland's School of Law often appears to be Australia's foremost law school: according to Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the school has ranked 1st (nationally) for CPP in 2017,[49] 2018,[50] 2019, and 2020;[51] and 1st, 3rd, and 2nd (nationally) regarding H-index in 2018, 2019, and 2020 respectively. Globally, the school currently ranks =25th for QS' CPP metric (alongside Cambridge University's law school) and =30th for QS' H-Index citations metric.

Notably, UQ's Law School achieved a THE-WUR citation ranking of 3rd globally (1st domestically) in 2017 (THE 2018) – two positions above Yale Law School, six positions above top-ranked Duke Law School, and just one position below Harvard Law School.[52] UQ's Law School also recently received a THE-WUR research ranking of 36th in the world (THE 2020).[53]

Joint degree program

Since 2011, the UQ Law School established a partnership with Washington University School of Law, enabling current UQ students to pursue their UQ law degree while also obtaining an American LLM degree in a shorter timeframe.[54] [55]

Current and previous ranking positions

(Positions enclosed in parentheses refer to domestic ranking)

20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
QS Ranking by Subject (Law)48 (7th)51-100 (10th)49 (6th)45 (7th)48 (7th)36 (6th)43 (6th)39 (6th)43 (6th)[56] 55 (6th)[57] 53 (6th)[58]
QS Citations Per Paper Ranking-74 (7th)80 (5th)76 (5th)52 (1st)35 (1st)24 (1st)25 (1st)37 (3rd)101+ (10th)93 (6th)
QS H-Index Citations Ranking-87 (6th)71 (6th)53 (7th)46 (4th)38 (1st)47 (3rd)30 (=2nd)59 (5th)51 (5th)74 (6th)
  • THE-WUR Subject Rankings (Law)[59]
----54 (5th)40 (4th)58 (6th)56 (5th)
  • THE-WUR Citations Ranking[60]
----3 (1st)10 (2nd)56 (7th)67 (8th)
  • THE-WUR Research Ranking[61]
----55 (5th)44 (4th)36 (4th)37 (4th)
    • ARWU Law Subject Ranking[62]
----87 (8th)87 (7th)60 (6th)101-150 (2nd-8th)
      • US News (Social Sciences and Public Health)[63]
22 (1st)21 (2nd)26 (2nd)

UQ Law Centres

Publications

The following publications are produced by staff or students at UQ Law:[69]

Notable alumni

See main article: List of University of Queensland people.

Jurists

Politicians, public servants and vice regals

Business leaders

Higher education

Other

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Law school makes 'significant' cuts to student numbers. Coade. Melissa. 2017-07-31. www.lawyersweekly.com.au. en-gb. 2020-02-08.
  2. Web site: UQ Law School website - Staff Directory.
  3. Web site: Queensland . The University of . Bachelor of Laws (Honours) - Study - The University of Queensland . 2024-01-21 . Study . en.
  4. Web site: History - Law School - University of Queensland . 2024-01-21 . law.uq.edu.au.
  5. Web site: Postgraduate study - School of Law - University of Queensland. law.uq.edu.au. 2020-02-11.
  6. Web site: Master of Philosophy - my.UQ - The University of Queensland, Australia. my.uq.edu.au. 2020-02-11.
  7. Web site: Higher Degree by Research - School of Law - University of Queensland. law.uq.edu.au. 2020-02-11.
  8. Web site: Schiavello . 2018-10-24 . UQ's Walter Harrison Law Library . 2024-01-21 . Schiavello Furniture . en.
  9. Web site: Warehouse - Library - University of Queensland . 2024-01-21 . web.library.uq.edu.au.
  10. Web site: Outstanding employment record for UQ Law graduates . 2024-01-21 . stories.uq.edu.au . en.
  11. Book: White, Michael. TC Beirne School of Law: A History. TC Beirne School of Law, University of Queensland. 2016. 978-1-74272-170-5.
  12. Web site: 2016-06-23. Rhodes Scholars - Graduates from the Law School - TC Beirne School of Law - The University of Queensland, Australia. 2021-01-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20160623213959/http://www.law.uq.edu.au/rhodes-scholars-graduates. 23 June 2016.
  13. Web site: UQ graduate named Australia-at-large Rhodes Scholar. 2019-12-17. law.uq.edu.au. en. 2020-02-08.
  14. Web site: Indigenous lawyer from UQ is 2019 Rhodes Scholar. 2018-10-16. law.uq.edu.au. en. 2020-02-08.
  15. Web site: 15 October 2020. Two UQ alumni receive prestigious Cambridge Australia Scholarships. 2020-10-15. law.uq.edu.au. en.
  16. Web site: A History of the Fulbright Scholar at the TC Beirne School of Law. Harpur. Paul. 1 December 2018. University of Queensland. 8 February 2020.
  17. Web site: Mr Christopher Vale. 2019-05-22. law.uq.edu.au. en. 2020-02-08.
  18. Web site: Immersed in Indonesia. 2018-06-12. law.uq.edu.au. en. 2020-02-08.
  19. Web site: Funding opens doors for global experiences. 2019-01-03. law.uq.edu.au. en. 2020-02-08.
  20. Web site: UQ student named New Colombo Plan Fellow to India. 2014-12-17. law.uq.edu.au. en. 2020-02-08.
  21. Web site: UQ New Colombo Fellows set their sights on Indo-Pacific. 2016-12-04. law.uq.edu.au. en. 2020-02-08.
  22. Web site: New Colombo Plan scholars embark on global pathways. 2017-11-29. law.uq.edu.au. en. 2020-02-08.
  23. Web site: Law students celebrate virtual mooting success. Queensland. The University of. Lucia. Australia Brisbane St. UQ News. en. 2020-04-29. Gatton. QLD 4072 +61 7 3365 1111 Other Campuses: UQ. Maps. UQ Herston. Queensl. Directions © 2020 The University of Queensland. 24 April 2020 .
  24. Web site: UQ students win marine law moot. Queensland. The University of. Lucia. Australia Brisbane St. UQ News. en. 2020-01-01. Gatton. QLD 4072 +61 7 3365 1111 Other Campuses: UQ. Maps. UQ Herston. Queensl. Directions © 2020 The University of Queensland.
  25. Web site: International Maritime Law Arbitration Moot School of Law Murdoch University. www.murdoch.edu.au. 2019-12-29.
  26. Web site: International Maritime Law Arbitration Moot School of Law Murdoch University. www.murdoch.edu.au. 2019-12-29.
  27. Web site: International Maritime Law Arbitration Moot School of Law Murdoch University. www.murdoch.edu.au. 2019-12-29.
  28. Web site: 2023-07-26 . Sailing to victory – UQ’s 10th win! . 2024-08-14 . law.uq.edu.au . en.
  29. Web site: Results|The 17th Competition (2018)|Intercollegiate Negotiation Competition. www.negocom.jp. 2020-01-23.
  30. Web site: UQ wins international mooting title for Australia. Queensl. The University of. Lucia. Australia Brisbane St. UQ News. en. 2020-01-01. Gatton. QLD 4072 +61 7 3365 1111 Other Campuses: UQ. Maps. UQ Herston. Queensl. Directions © 2020 The University of.
  31. Web site: Sir Harry Gibbs Constitutional Law Moot 2019. Melbourne University Law Students' Society. en-US. 2020-01-01.
  32. Web site: UQ School of Law. 2020-10-15. www.facebook.com. en.
  33. Web site: UQ law students win humanitarian moot. Queensl. The University of. Lucia. Australia Brisbane St. UQ News. en. 2020-01-01. Gatton. QLD 4072 +61 7 3365 1111 Other Campuses: UQ. Maps. UQ Herston. Queensl. Directions © 2020 The University of.
  34. Web site: UQ law students win Indigenous Student Moot. Queensl. The University of. Lucia. Australia Brisbane St. UQ News. en. 2020-01-01. Gatton. QLD 4072 +61 7 3365 1111 Other Campuses: UQ. Maps. UQ Herston. Queensl. Directions © 2020 The University of.
  35. Web site: Media Release: Queensland's 4th Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students' Moot 2018. 2018-05-22. Indigenous Lawyers Association Queensland Inc. en-AU. 2020-01-01.
  36. Web site: 11th Annual Castan Centre Human Rights Moot - Faculty of Law. Unknown. 2017-10-04. Faculty of Law - University of Tasmania, Australia. en-AU. 2020-01-01.
  37. Web site: UQ Law students shine at National Mooting Competition.. Queensl. The University of. Lucia. Australia Brisbane St. UQ News. en. 2020-01-01. Gatton. QLD 4072 +61 7 3365 1111 Other Campuses: UQ. Maps. UQ Herston. Queensl. Directions © 2020 The University of.
  38. Web site: UQ law students win national mooting title. Queensl. The University of. Lucia. Australia Brisbane St. UQ News. en. 2020-01-01. Gatton. QLD 4072 +61 7 3365 1111 Other Campuses: UQ. Maps. UQ Herston. Queensl. Directions © 2020 The University of.
  39. Web site: Law students win fourth mooting title. Queensl. The University of. Lucia. Australia Brisbane St. UQ News. en. 2020-01-01. Gatton. QLD 4072 +61 7 3365 1111 Other Campuses: UQ. Maps. UQ Herston. Queensl. Directions © 2020 The University of.
  40. Web site: Torts Moot. Technology (QUT). Queensland University of. QUT. en. 2020-01-01.
  41. Web site: UQ team wins 2009 Shine Lawyers National Torts Moot Competition. Queensl. The University of. Lucia. Australia Brisbane St. UQ News. en. 2020-01-01. Gatton. QLD 4072 +61 7 3365 1111 Other Campuses: UQ. Maps. UQ Herston. Queensl. Directions © 2020 The University of.
  42. Web site: UQ's winning streak continues in moot law competitions. Queensl. The University of. Lucia. Australia Brisbane St. UQ News. en. 2020-01-01. Gatton. QLD 4072 +61 7 3365 1111 Other Campuses: UQ. Maps. UQ Herston. Queensl. Directions © 2020 The University of.
  43. Web site: About - Nica.team . 2024-08-14 . Nica.team - home of moot courts . en-US.
  44. Web site: University of Queensland - Nica.team . 2024-08-14 . Nica.team - home of moot courts . en-US.
  45. Web site: Create - School of Law - University of Queensland. law.uq.edu.au. 2020-02-08.
  46. Web site: UQ Forgan Smith Building – TC Beirne School of Law and Walter Harrison Library Refurbishment. BVN. en-US. 2020-02-08.
  47. Web site: Law. 2019-02-15. Top Universities. en. 2019-12-29.
  48. Web site: World University Rankings 2020 by subject: law. 2019-10-29. Times Higher Education (THE). en. 2019-12-29.
  49. Web site: Law. 2017-03-02. Top Universities. en. 2019-12-29.
  50. Web site: Law. 2018-02-22. Top Universities. en. 2019-12-29.
  51. Web site: Law. 2020-02-25. Top Universities. en. 2020-03-03.
  52. Web site: World University Rankings 2018 by subject: law. 2017-09-27. Times Higher Education (THE). en. 2020-02-11.
  53. Web site: World University Rankings 2020 by subject: law. 2019-10-29. Times Higher Education (THE). en. 2020-02-11.
  54. Web site: Queensland . The University of . Lucia . Australia Brisbane St . Gatton . QLD 4072 +61 7 3365 1111 Other Campuses: UQ . Maps . UQ Herston . Queensland . Directions © 2023 The University of . UQ/US University partnership offers law students unique dual-jurisdiction study opportunity . 2023-07-13 . UQ News . en.
  55. Web site: McCarthy . Leslie Gibson . 2011-07-12 . WUSTL School of Law forms alliance with University of Queensland - The Source - Washington University in St. Louis . 2023-07-13 . The Source . en-US.
  56. Web site: QS World University Rankings for Law & Legal Studies 2021 . 2024-01-21 . Top Universities . en.
  57. Web site: QS World University Rankings for Law & Legal Studies 2022 . 2024-01-21 . Top Universities . en.
  58. Web site: QS World University Rankings for Law & Legal Studies 2023 . 2024-01-19 . Top Universities . en.
  59. News: Times Higher Education World University Rankings. en. Times Higher Education (THE). 2020-10-29.
  60. Web site: World University Rankings 2020 by subject: law. 2019-10-29. Times Higher Education (THE). en. 2020-02-11.
  61. Web site: World University Rankings 2020 by subject: law. 2019-10-29. Times Higher Education (THE). en. 2020-02-11.
  62. Web site: ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2020 - Law Shanghai Ranking - 2020. 2020-02-11. www.shanghairanking.com.
  63. Web site: U.S. News. Best Global Universities Subject Rankings. 2020-10-29. U.S. News.
  64. Web site: U.S. News. How U.S. News Calculated the Best Global Universities Subject Rankings. 2020-10-29. U.S. News.
  65. Web site: Australian Centre for Private Law - School of Law - University of Queensland. law.uq.edu.au. 2020-02-11.
  66. Web site: Centre for Public, International and Comparative Law. 2016-06-06. law.uq.edu.au. en. 2020-02-11.
  67. Web site: Marine and Shipping Law Unit - School of Law - University of Queensland. law.uq.edu.au. 2020-02-11.
  68. Web site: About the UQ Pro Bono Centre. 2016-06-06. law.uq.edu.au. en. 2020-02-11.
  69. Web site: Publications. 2016-05-10. law.uq.edu.au. en. 2020-02-11.
  70. Web site: The University of Queensland Law Journal. 2016-05-12. law.uq.edu.au. en. 2020-02-11.
  71. Web site: LAWASIA Journal. 2016-05-12. law.uq.edu.au. en. 2020-02-11.
  72. Web site: Editorial Policies. ssl.law.uq.edu.au. 2020-02-11.