Posted: 31 July 2008
Minister gives green light for new school of law at UCD
The Minister for Education and Science, Mr Batt O’Keeffe TD has approved the development of a new School of Law at UCD. The planning and design of the new building, to be known as the UCD Sutherland School of Law, will begin shortly. The purpose built facility, measuring approximately 5,133 square metres, will cater for 1,500 students and staff, and is expected to be completed in 2011.
The new UCD Sutherland School of Law will be part funded under the National Development Plan 2007 – 2013, a major gift from Peter Sutherland SC, resources from the university and other private funding.
The new facility will include an innovative purpose built Clinical Legal Education Centre and moot court (where students learn how to present cases in a courtroom setting). This will benefit students, academics and the legal professions, and others associated with the law in practice such as mediators, arbitrators, expert witnesses (e.g. medical, forensic, and economic) and tribunals.
The UCD Sutherland School of Law will strengthen Ireland's growing reputation internationally as a location for the study and research of law. It will also enhance the number of highly skilled graduates in a sector that will play an important role in meeting Ireland's knowledge economy objectives.
“The learning and research environment will be transformed by the new UCD Sutherland School of Law,” says Professor Imelda Maher, Sutherland Professor of European Law and Academic Director for the project. “The Clinical Legal Education Centre will be an important resource for UCD, the wider legal community, and those interested in the central role that law plays in the economic and social development of Irish society.”
“Future law students and the legal profession will truly benefit from the development of the new UCD Sutherland School of Law,” says Professor Joe McMahon, Interim Dean of the UCD School of Law. “It continues in our tradition of pioneering and delivering the best possible legal education. Something clearly evidenced in the continued success of our past students.”
The UCD Sutherland School of Law will be situated within the precinct of the university’s landmark Gateway development.
