As Flinders University celebrates 30 years of its world-class legal degree, its reputation as a game-changing and innovative teaching institution continues to flourish thanks to three decades of achievements and milestones.
When Flinders Law was introduced in 1992, it was never intended to be another ‘stuffy’ law school, placing its focus on practical learning and social justice, and encouraging students to pursue critical and theoretical perspectives.
Similarly, Flinders Law took a step away from the traditional law school approach, appointing staff from both academic and professional backgrounds to provide expertise in both areas.
To accompany the introduction of Flinders Law, the Law Library was opened in 1992, providing a quiet, well-resourced place for Law students to study on campus – with some of the best views from the top level of the Bedford Park campus overlooking the city of Adelaide!
In 1993, first-year students were treated to an ‘arresting’ lecture, when they witnessed a local Police Sergeant arrest a fellow student on suspicion of being concerned in the production of a controlled substance for the purpose of supply. The officer approached the student (actually, it was Administrative Officer Mr Norman Lee), executed a warrant for his arrest, and discovered a suspicious substance in his pocket (which was a prepared prop of mulched gum leaves). Second-year Criminal Law students followed Mr Lee through the many stages of his arrest and trial, which culminated in a simulated trial in the Moot Court.
Mock interviews were introduced to the law course curriculum in 1995, providing students with an opportunity to practice their interviewing skills and equip them with skills they needed to succeed.
After successfully completing their studies, the inaugural Flinders Law class graduated in April 1996, with graduates taking part in graduation ceremonies in April and December of every year since.
In 2019, Flinders Law introduced cutting-edge formal legal innovation training, design thinking and skills in building simple software applications by introducing the Law in a Digital Age topic to the undergraduate degree.
The leadership and guidance of the brightest legal minds – from Foundation Dean Professor Becky Bailey-Harris to current Dean of Law Professor Tania Leiman – has ensured that Flinders Law remains one of the leading law degrees, able to inspire and support students to achieve academically, and put what they learn into practice to make a difference.