Caption: L-R: Professor Iain Watson (Deputy Vic-Chancellor, External Engagement), Professor Sarah Derrington (Dean of Law, TC Beirne School of Law), Mr John Cooper (Jones Day) and Mrs Deborah Cooper
1 December 2016

Generous supporters of the re-imagining of UQ’s TC Beirne School of Law were honoured at a cocktail function at Government House last night.

The Governor of Queensland, His Excellency the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC, and Mrs Kaye de Jersey hosted the gathering to acknowledge the significant contributions alumni and members of Queensland’s legal fraternity have made to the new chapter in the school’s history.

Head of School and Dean of Law Professor Sarah Derrington said about $7 million had already been raised towards the $20 million target for the rejuvenation of the Law School’s historic Forgan Smith building.

“Work is nearing completion and it is very exciting to see the school’s new home take shape,” Professor Derrington said.

“The state-of-the-art facilities will help ensure we continue to offer a world-leading program that is stimulating, interactive and innovative.

“The new space will include collaborative research spaces and break-out rooms, independent study areas, and facilities for mobile technology, innovative learning, research and academic activities.”

Professor Derrington said the alumni and legal fraternity had also supported an endowment scholarship fund to assist educationally-disadvantaged students.

All donors to the project would be acknowledged in an elegant display of donor books – featuring their names on the spines – arranged on glass shelving in the Law School.

The Government House function was also the occasion to launch the second edition of the History of the TC Beirne School of Law, authored by Adjunct Professor Dr Michael White OAM QC.

The book includes the Law School’s founding, its role in World War II, student protests and rejuvenation.  Email litbris@litsupport.com.au to order a copy.

The refurbishment will be completed in time for Semester 1 2017. 

Media: Danielle Koopman d.koopman@uq.edu.au, 07 3346 0700, 0428 884 097.