Scholarships, Awards and Prizes
Scholarships and Awards
Senior scholarships and University of Otago Awards are open to students for their fourth year of study. These are merit awards, and no applications are required.
Cheryl Waldrum Scholarship in Law
The Cheryl Waldrum Scholarship in Law was established in 2001 in memory of Cheryl Waldrum who died in January 2001, just a few days short of her 44th birthday. Cheryl was a law graduate of the University of Western Ontario and the University of Otago and was a member of the academic staff at both institutions. This scholarship is intended to assist undergraduate law students from the University of Otago taking papers at the Law Faculty of the University of Western Ontario as part of the Student Exchange Agreement between these two Law Faculties.
The scholarship shall be awarded to an undergraduate law student at the University of Otago undertaking law studies at the University of Western Ontario as part of the Student Exchange Agreement between the University of Otago and the Law Faculty of the University of Western Ontario.
The scholarship has a maximum value of $2000 per year and may be awarded annually to one applicant or shared by two applicants.
The Clarrie Stevens Memorial Scholarship
Established by the Trustees of the Rua and Clarrie Stevens Charitable Trust in 1998 in memory of the late Clarrie Stevens, for many years a prominent Dunedin lawyer.
The Scholarship is awarded annually to students in the final year of study for the degree of Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Laws with Honours. Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated special ability in the areas of Wills and Trusts or Commercial Law. Financial need as well as academic ability will be taken into account in awarding the Scholarship.
The amount of the Scholarship is $3,000. In the case of a number of deserving candidates, the Scholarship may be shared.
Applications for the Scholarship close on 31 March 2011. Application forms are available from the Administrator in March.
Sir Harold Barrowclough Scholarship
Established in l972 under the will of Sir Harold Barrowclough who bequeathed the sum of $2,000 to the University of Otago to establish scholarships for students of the Faculty of Law. The amount of the prize may vary from year to year, but is usually in the range $1,000–$1,200.
- The scholarship may be awarded only to students who are or have been students of the Faculty of Law of the University of Otago and who, having completed their LLB degrees, are proceeding to a higher degree in New Zealand or overseas.
- The scholarship shall be awarded by the Council on the recommendation of a selection committee consisting of the Vice-Chancellor and the Dean of the Faculty of Law or their nominees. If they are unable to agree on any matter, it shall be referred to an enlarged Committee consisting of the Vice-Chancellor and Dean of the Faculty of Law and the President of the Otago District Law Society or their nominees.
- The Council of the University may fix or vary the amount to be paid annually to the scholar.
- Unless otherwise decided by the University, the scholarship shall be tenable for one year, but, on the recommendation of the Selection Committee, it may be extended to two or three years.
- The scholarship shall be tenable with any other scholarship.
- Applications should be submitted to the Administrator by 15 November of each year.
Fulbright-Buddle Findlay Award in Law
(formerly Buddle Findlay Centennial Scholarship)
The Fulbright-Buddle Findlay Award in Law is the first New Zealand specialist award and incorporates Buddle Findlay’s Centennial Scholarship previously established to commemorate the firm’s hundred year anniversary.
The award is worth NZ$40,000, plus return air travel to the USA, and recognises the achievement and potential of an outstanding New Zealand law graduate by providing the opportunity for 12 months postgraduate study and research in law in the USA.
Applicants must be New Zealand citizens and living in New Zealand at the time of application, hold a New Zealand law degree, be accepted into an approved law school, and have no more than five years experience working in any field of law, either within or outside New Zealand.
Applications close on 1 October of each year, and selection takes place in November/December. The award is to be taken up by the successful candidate commencing the relevant course of study no later than 1 October in the year immediately following application. The award will not generally be held over to a subsequent year.
Further information is available from:
National Human Resources Manager
Buddle Findlay
PO Box 2694
Wellington
OR
Executive Director
New Zealand-United States
Educational Foundation
PO Box 3465
Wellington
Mary Hussey Award
Established in 1993 by Wood Adams, Barristers & Solicitors of Dunedin, in memory of Mary Moir Hussey MA LLM(NZ) (1909–1993), the fourth woman admitted to the legal profession in Otago and a gifted lawyer.
The Award is granted annually by the University Council to a student in the final year of study for the degree of Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor of Laws with Honours. Financial need as well as academic merit will be taken into account in granting the Award, and preference may be given to a student from the Otago Region with special abilities in family or criminal law.
The Award consists of the sum of $500, together with the opportunity of vacation work experience in the offices of Wilkinson Adams.
Applications for the Award must be submitted to the Administrator, Faculty of Law, by 31 March. Application forms are available from the Law Faculty Office, 9th floor, Richardson Building.
Kensington Swan Scholarship
Scholarships will be awarded annually to a law student at each of Otago, Canterbury, Auckland and Victoria Universities. The winners will each receive a grant of $4,000 payable during the year of tenure in three equal instalments.
The scholarships will be given to students who are in their fourth or subsequent years of legal studies and who will not be in full-time employment during the year of tenure.
The scholarships will be awarded to students of all-round ability but it is anticipated that each successful student will have a good academic record, an ability to communicate effectively, evidence of participation in a wide range of interests and activities, a personality suited to the quick and efficient resolution of problems and a strong desire to excel in the practice of law.
Application forms will be available from the Administrator from the beginning of February. They should be returned to the Administrator by 20 March.
The New Zealand Foundation Ethel Benjamin Prize (for women)
In 1997 the Trustees of the New Zealand Law Foundation unanimously determined to mark the centenary of the admission of Ethel Benjamin as the first woman barrister and solicitor. To that end they established this prize as a merit based award to outstanding women scholars, for the purpose of supporting postgraduate research in Law that encompasses the wider objectives of the NZ Law Foundation, in particular research that will protect and promote the interests of the public in relation to legal matters in New Zealand.
Prizes may be awarded in two categories with one or two prizes awarded in any given year.
Category A: study at a New Zealand university (up to $10,000); or
Category B: study at an overseas university (up to $20,000)
A Scholarship may be awarded to any woman scholar who is:
- A New Zealand citizen or permanent resident
- The holder of a New Zealand university law degree (normally having been gained within the past three years)
- Accepted into a postgraduate course in law at either a New Zealand or an overseas university acceptable to the Selection Committee.
Further details and application forms are available from the Scholarships Officer. Applications close 1 March in the year for which the prize is awarded and in which it will be taken up.
Miss Margaret MacKay Memorial Award
Established in 1999 by the Otago District Law Society in memory of Miss Margaret MacKay, a practitioner of law in Oamaru and one of the first women to study law at the University of Otago.
The award is made annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Law and the President of the Otago District Law Society or his or her nominee, for meritorious performance in the second year law course, to a female student having significant connections with North Otago. Preference may be given to candidates whose connections are with the Waitaki District Council area.
The value of the award is $1,000.
The Loman Friedlander Award ($1,000)
A prize open to any tertiary student of any age, to the person who submits the best paper on any subject falling within the general area of Intellectual Property Law (i.e. patents, trade marks, registered designs, copyright, passing off). Papers must consist of between 5000-15000 words, and must be forwarded to The Secretary, New Zealand Institute of Patent Attorneys Inc, P O Box 5116, Wellington before 30 November each year.
Cheryl Waldrum Scholarship in Law
The Cheryl Waldrum Scholarship in Law was established in 2001 in memory of Cheryl Waldrum who died in January 2001, just a few days short of her 44th birthday. Cheryl was a law graduate of the University of Western Ontario and the University of Otago and she was a member of the academic staff at both institutions. This scholarship is intended to assist law students from the Universities of Otago and Western Ontario taking papers at the Law Faculties of those Universities as part of the Student Exchange Agreement between these two Law Faculties.
Information is also available from the Scholarships Office.
Prizes
A J Park & Son Intellectual Property Prize
Established in 1997 by A J Park & Son, Intellectual Property Lawyers, Solicitors, Patent Attorneys and Notaries, of Wellington and Auckland.
The prize is awarded annually to the student who has achieved the best result in the paper Intellectual Property.
The value of the prize is as set down in the schedule of prizes.
Anderson Lloyd Caudwell Prize
Established by the firm Caudwells, Barristers and Solicitors, Dunedin, to encourage the study of Constitutional Law. The name was changed to Anderson Lloyd Caudwell in 2001 due to the merger of the firms Caudwells and Anderson Lloyd.
The Prize is awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Law, to the student who has achieved the best result in the subject of Public Law.
The value of the prize will be set down in the current prize schedule.
Annabel Schluter Prize
Established by her family in 1997 in memory of their daughter Annabel Schluter who died while a student at the University.
The prize is awarded annually to the student who produces the most outstanding piece of work in the paper Family Law.
The prize shall consist of an inscribed medallion.
Chapman Tripp Prize in Competition Law
Established in 2009 by the New Zealand law firm Chapman Tripp, the prize is in recognition of the positive contribution University of Otago Faculty of Law graduates have made and continue to make to Chapman Tripp.
The prize is awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Law, to the student who achieves the best result in the paper Competition Law.
The value of the prize is as set down in the schedule of prizes.
Cleary Memorial Prize
The Cleary Memorial Prize is awarded annually to a person who has been admitted as a barrister and solicitor in the preceding twelve months and who in the opinion of the President of the New Zealand Law Society (after consulting with such persons as he or she thinks fit) gives most promise of service to and through the profession. The closing date is 30th September. For further details see [1964] NZLJ 252.
Colleen Flood Prize in Health Law and Policy
Established in 2006 by Professor Jocelyn Downie, Director, Health Law Institute, Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy, Dalhousie University and Professor Mark Henaghan, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Otago.
The prize honours the work of New Zealander Professor Colleen Flood, Canada Research Chair in Health Law and Policy at the Faculty of Law, University of Toronto. Professor Flood was instrumental in establishing the academic links between Professor Downie and the Faculty of Law at Otago.
The Prize is awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Law, to the Law student who produces the best research paper in the field of Health Law.
The value of the prize is as set down in the schedule of prizes.
EC Adams Memorial Prize in Land Law
Established in 2009 by the Trustees of the EC Adams Memorial Trust (in memory of the late Ernest Claude Adams, for many years Registrar-General of Land).
The prize is awarded by the Trustees to a student enrolled in the LLB at any NZ University who submits the best piece of legal writing, showing excellence of achievement in the study of Land Law, not exceeding 2,500 words.
Entries should be submitted to the Dean of law and may be the joint work of not more than two students. Entries must be submitted by the Dean to the Trustees in triplicate by 30 November.
The value of the prize is $1,200.
Gallaway Cook Allan Prize
Established in 1992 by Gallaway Haggitt Sinclair & Partners, Barristers, Solicitors, and Notaries of Dunedin.
The prize is awarded annually by the University Council to the student who achieves the best result in the subject Law of Torts.
The value of the prize is as set down in the schedule of prizes.
Joan Berthia Chadwick Prize
Established in 2008 as a consequence of a gift from the Rua and Clarrie Stevens Charitable Trust, made to reward outstanding contributions by law student volunteers at the Dunedin Community Law Centre.
The prize is awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Dunedin Community Law Centre (made to the Dean of the Faculty of Law) to the law student who has made the most outstanding contribution to the work of the Dunedin Community Law Centre.
The value of the prize will be as set down in the schedule of prizes.
Joseph Gerard Butler Memorial Award
Founded in 2001 by the partners of Anderson Lloyd Caudwell, Barristers and Solicitors, Dunedin, this prize celebrates the life and work of Joseph Gerard Butler, one of their partners. Joe Butler acted as the City’s solicitor in planning matters for some years and brought legal excellence, common sense and a remarkable sense of humour to his work.
The prize is awarded annually to the most outstanding student in the law papers for Planning Law, on recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Law and the Chairman of Partners for the time being in the firm of Anderson Lloyd Caudwell or its successor.
The value of the prize is as set down in the schedule of prizes.
Joshua Williams Memorial Essay Prize
Provided by the Council of the Otago District Law Society from the estate of Sir Joshua Strange Williams, a Judge of the Supreme Court and Resident Judge in Dunedin 1878–1913. The prize consists of the sum of $500.
- The prize is awarded on the recommendation of the Council of the Otago District Law Society for the essay which, in the opinion of the Council (in consultation with such person or persons as it thinks fit), makes the most significant contribution to legal knowledge and meets all requirements of sound legal scholarship.
- Any student enrolled at the University of Otago for the degrees of Bachelor of Laws or Bachelor or Laws with Honours may submit an essay but no candidate for the prize shall submit more than one essay in any year and the prize shall not be awarded twice to the same person.
- Papers which have been prepared as assignments for seminars or other classes may be submitted in either their original or revised form.
- The length of any essay submitted may not exceed 7,000 words. Essays exceeding this length and submitted as assignments for seminars or other classes should be rewritten to conform with this requirement.
- Essays must be submitted to the Dean of the Faculty of Law not later than the day listed in the University Calendar as the official end of lectures in the second semester.
Judge A’e’au Semi Epati Award for Second Year Law
Established in 2007 by Judge A’e’au Semi Epati, a distinguished graduate of the University of Otago Faculty of Law and the first Pacific Islander in New Zealand to be appointed a District Court Judge.
The annual award winner is selected from students of Pacific Island descent who gain admission to Second Year Law. The award goes to the student with the highest mark in The Legal System paper LAWS 101 in that year.
KPMG Taxation Law Prize
Established in 2007 by KPMG a leading provider of professional audit, tax and advisory services in New Zealand.
The prize is awarded annually to the students who achieve first and second place in the Law Faculty paper Taxation.
The value of the prize is as set down in the schedule of prizes.
Law Students’ Society Prize
Established in 1995 by a donation from the Society of Otago University Law Students.
The prize is to be awarded annually by the University Council, on the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Law, to the student achieving the highest level of attainment in the paper Law of Evidence for the degree of Bachelor of Laws.
The value of the prize is as set down in the schedule of prizes.
LEADR Prize
Established in 1996 by LEADR (Lawyers Engaged in Alternative Dispute Resolution) to encourage study in areas of commercial negotiation, mediation and dispute resolution.
The prize is awarded annually to the student who has achieved the best result in the paper Negotiation.
The value of the prize is as set down in the schedule of prizes.
Louis Olive Memorial Prize
Founded in 1976 by Dr Gloria Olive in memory of her father, Louis Olive, on the 100th anniversary of his birth, in recognition of his interest in legal studies which was based on both his role in the business world and his training as a lawyer.
- The prize is awarded annually to the most outstanding student in the law papers normally taken in the second year of study for the degree of Bachelor of Laws.
- The prize is open to students enrolled for the degree of Bachelor of Laws, or the combined degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws, or the combined degrees of Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws.
- The award shall be made on the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Law.
- The prize consists of books to the value of the income arising from the fund.
New Zealand Law Review Prizes
Established in 1994 by the Legal Research Foundation Incorporated.
The Prizes are awarded annually by the University Council to the three students who have achieved the best aggregate results in the second year Law course.
Each prize consists of two years’ full subscription to the New Zealand Law Review.
New Zealand Red Cross (Southern Region) Prize in International Law
Established in 2007 by the New Zealand Red Cross (Southern Region). The prize honours the work of the New Zealand Red Cross.
The prize is awarded annually by the University Council on the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Law, to the student who achieves the best result in the paper International Law.
The value of the prize is as set down in the schedule of prizes.
Otago District Law Society’s Prizes
Two prizes of the value set down in the University prize schedule are offered each year by the Law Society of the District of Otago for students completing the papers required for the degree of Bachelor of Laws who have shown general excellence throughout the degree course. Both LLB and LLB(Hons) students are eligible for this award.
Paul Wallis Memorial Prize
Established in 1993 by friends of Paul Leslie Wallis BA(Otago) (1970–1993), an Honours student in Law and a graduate in History, in his memory and in recognition of the skill and dedication he brought to his studies.
The prize is awarded annually to the student who has achieved the best result in the paper Jurisprudence.
The prize is a cash award at the value set down in the University prize schedule. The terms on which this prize is offered are under review and may change.
P B A Sim Prize
Established in honour of Professor P B A Sim, Professor of Law 1968–1983, and Dean of the Faculty of Law 1968–1980, by law students, members of the profession and colleagues on the occasion of Professor Sim’s retirement in 1983.
The prize is awarded annually to the student who has achieved the best result in the paper Property Law.
The value of the prize is as set down in the schedule of prizes.
Shona Reeve Memorial Prize
This prize was established in memory of Shona Margaret Reeve (nee Plowman) BA(Hons) LLB(Otago) with financial support from her family, friends and colleagues. Shona was a greatly respected member of the legal profession whose practice focussed on family law and relationship property. Having been a teacher before doing her LLB degree, she retained a strong interest in education, maintaining close links with the Law Faculty and always willing to assist in its teaching programme or judge law student competitions.
The prize is awarded annually to the student achieving the best overall result in the paper Advanced Family Property Law.
The value of the prize is set down in the schedule of prizes.
Sir Thomas More Prize
The prize commemorates the quincentenary of the birth of Sir Thomas More (1478-1535), Lord Chancellor of England, lawyer and man of conscience.
The prize is awarded annually to the student who has achieved the best result in the paper Wills and Trusts.
The value of the prize is as set down in the schedule of prizes together with a commemorative bookplate.
Society of Otago University Law Students’ Prize in Legal Ethics
Established in 2010 by the Society of Otago University Law Students (SOULS. which is a charitable organisation which exists to promote and protect the interests of Otago University law students, to recognise academic achievement in a paper which is compulsory for all law students wanting to gain admittance to the bar.
The prize is awarded by the University Council on the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Law, to the student who achieves first place in the Law Faculty paper Legal Ethics.
The value of the prize is as set down in the schedule of prizes.
SOLGM/Local Government Careers Prize
Established in 2008 by the New Zealand Society of Local Government Managers to raise the profile of Local Government as a career choice.
The prize is offered by the University Council on the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Law, to the student who achieves first place in the Law Faculty paper Environmental Law.
The value of the prize is as set down in the schedule of prizes.
Thomson Reuters Prize in Law
An annual prize of the value set down in the University prize schedule.
This prize was established in 1996 by Brooker’s Ltd, Wellington, and is awarded to the student who produces the best research dissertation.
The prize is awarded in the form of books published by Thomson Reuters, or firms for whom they act as an agent.
Thomson Reuters Prize in Legal System
An annual prize of the value set down in the University prize schedule. Originally awarded by The Law Book Company Ltd., Sydney, Australia, this prize has been awarded by Brooker’s Ltd. since 1995.
The prize is awarded to the student who has achieved the best result in the paper The Legal System.
The prize is awarded in the form of books published by Thomson Reuters, or firms for whom they act as an agent.
University Book Shop Prize
Established in 1985 by the Directors of the University Book Shop Otago Limited, this prize is awarded annually to the student who has achieved the best result in the paper Family Law.
The prize consists of books to the value set down in the schedule of prizes.
Wilkinson Adams Prize
Established in 1994 by the firm of O’Driscoll & Marks, Lawyers, Dunedin, and originally named the O’Driscoll Marks Prize, this prize was established to encourage study of Criminal Law. In 2004 the firm of Wilkinson Adams lawyers agreed to sponsor the prize.
The Prize is awarded annually, by the University Council on the recommendation of the Dean of the Faculty of Law, to the student who has achieved the best result in the subject Criminal Law.
The value of the Prize will be as set down in the current prize schedule.
Wilson Harle Prize in Commercial Law
Established in 2007 by the Auckland based litigation firm Wilson Harle, this prize is awarded annually by to the student who achieves the best result in the paper Commercial Transactions.
The prize consists of a monetary award and a text book.
