Dean Phillip Saunders

Message from the Dean

Dalhousie University has the oldest university-affiliated common law school in the British Commonwealth, and in 2009 celebrated 125 years of excellence with dinners across the country.  Speakers from recent and not-so-recent generations at Dalhousie shared their memories of their time in Halifax and the Law School.

From its inception, the School has sought to perpetuate the vision of its founder and long-term dean, Richard Chapman Weldon, a vision which encompasses a solid preparation for the practice of law and which encourages respect for and participation in public life.

Despite its regional base, Dalhousie is perceived as a national law school, and encourages applicants from all parts of Canada. Indeed, over the years graduates of Dalhousie have had a distinguished influence on the development of law, legal education and public institutions throughout Canada. The LL.B. degree from Dalhousie is recognized for the purposes of Bar admission in all Canadian provinces.

As you may be aware, in October 2009, President Tom Traves and I were pleased to announce an agreement between the university and philanthropist Seymour Schulich for a precedent-setting gift of $20 million.  This donation is designated entirely for the Faculty of Law.

In honour and recognition of Mr. Schulich's support, the Faculty of Law has become the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University.  This name maintains the original connection with the university, while celebrating a solid commitment to its very bright future.

Students are the major beneficiaries of this donation, with the greatest portion of the gift dedicated to the creation of 41 new scholarships, each averaging $12,000.  The School will now have a scholarship program second to none in Canada, and will provide a level of accessibility based on merit with is a great reflection of the Weldon Tradition.

Dalhousie will be the only Canadian law school to receive support from Mr. Schulich.  His donation is a testament to the outstanding reputation that our alumni have helped us achieve, and a firm demonstration of confidence that will allow our law school to carry on with renewed vigor far into the future.

Just what is that makes Dalhousie Law School special? Click here for an audio MP3 [19.2 MB] and hear Dean Phillip Saunders talk about Dalhousie Law School — from its origins as Canada's first academic law programme to its current strengths.