140 years of Law
Join the University Library in celebrating the Adelaide Law School’s 140th anniversary.
Teaching and learning at the Adelaide Law School began in 1883, nine years after the University of Adelaide itself was established. At the time it was founded, the Law School was only the second fully operational law school in the country, after the University of Melbourne’s. Sir Samuel Way — Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia, and Vice-Chancellor and then Chancellor of the University — was instrumental in the Law School being established.
The Law School was located, from 1883 until the 1950s, in what is now known as the Mitchell Building. In 1959, it moved into an extension of the Barr Smith Library, and in 1964, into level three of the Napier Building. The Law School relocated to the Ligertwood Building — its current home — in 1967.
Visit our two displays showcasing the rich history of the Law School through the use of special collections material. It showcases a number of related themes, including history, teaching law and early professors, women in law, student life (including war involvement) and buildings.
The display at the Barr Smith Library on Level 1 runs until 14 July 2023 and the Law Library display on the ground floor runs until the end of the year. We hope you enjoy this new exhibition.