Law and criminal justice at UC
Through its research, teaching and professional connections, UC's Faculty of Law helps shape the legal and institutional frameworks that underpin society and responds to the complex challenges facing Aotearoa New Zealand and the wider world.
The faculty's multidisciplinary approach extends its work across law, crime, justice institutions, and society.
The faculty’s teaching and expertise span established fields such as torts, criminal, public, constitutional, and contract law, alongside evolving areas including financial technology law, Antarctic legal studies, Pacific legal studies, media law, disaster law, and law and medicine.
Research and thought leadership
Research within the faculty contributes to interdisciplinary scholarships, justice reform, public policy, and global debate on contemporary issues.
The faculty’s interdisciplinary research groups include the Institute of Law, Emergencies and Disasters, and the Centre for Commercial and Corporate Law.
The Canterbury Law Review and the New Zealand Yearbook of International Law provide platforms for legal research, analysis, and debate.
Connections with the profession and justice sector
The UC Faculty of Law has strong connections with the legal profession, justice sector, government agencies, and community organisations. These relationships help connect academic work with professional practice, and contemporary legal and justice issues.
They are also reflected in practical learning opportunities such as domestic and international internship opportunities, and practice-oriented courses (such as Trial Advocacy) through which students can apply academic knowledge, develop advocacy skills, and engage with law and justice beyond the classroom.
Our faculty and student community
The faculty community brings together academics, professional staff, and students across law and criminal justice. Student organisations including UC Law Student’s’ Society (LAWSOC), Māori Law Student’s’ Association (Te Pūtāiki), Pasifika Law Students’ Society (PLSS), UC Women in Law, Law for Change, Asian Law Students’ Society (ALSS), Queer in Law ( QUIL), and Criminal Justice Student Society (CRIMSOC) contribute to faculty life through academic, cultural, social, and competitive activities.
The faculty’s reach extends beyond its students and staff through active partnerships with alumni, researchers, legal and justice professionals, and organisations that contribute to its research, teaching, and public engagement.
UC Faculty of Law history
UC’s Faculty of Law was founded in Christchurch in 1873, and the Bachelor of Laws was introduced in 1877. Since then, the faculty has developed a longstanding tradition of research, legal education, and engagement with the profession.
In 2014, UC established New Zealand’s only Bachelor of Criminal Justice, extending that tradition into a multidisciplinary field concerned with crime, justice institutions, and society.
Study Law and Criminal Justice at UC
Explore opportunities to study Law and Criminal Justice at UC, including undergraduate and postgraduate study options.
