Dalhousie Law School
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The Dalhousie Law School, part of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, was established in 1883, making it the oldest university common law school in the Commonwealth of Nations. In addition to its standing as the primary law school in the Atlantic Provinces of Canada, Dalhousie attracts students from all parts of Canada.
Students attending Dalhousie Law may undertake general studies, or concentrate in one of four areas: health law, business law, marine and environmental law, and law and technology. The school is particularly well known for its scholarship in marine and environmental law.
Law student life at Dalhousie is known for its collegiality and tradition. The student-run Domus Legis Society is Canada's oldest social society for law students, and has operated since 1965 with the support of members and alumni. Membership is open to all students of Dalhousie Law School.
The school is situated in the Weldon Law Building at the 6061 University Avenue. Originally completed in 1966, it has been renovated three times since then, most recently in 2004.
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[edit] Domus Legis Society
A social organization for law students at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia Canada, the Domus Legis Society (or Domus Legis) is Canada's oldest law student social society. Founded in 1965, the society was created by Dalhousie law students “to promote good fellowship among congenial men and women at the Faculty of Law of Dalhousie University; to encourage a high standard of professional work; and to assist by every honourable means the advancement of its members”.
The Domus Legis continues to be run by students of Dalhousie Law School independent of the university administration. It receives some support from alumni, and from Canadian law firms. The society adheres to a constitution and is run by an executive comprised of students from the Faculty of Law who are elected annually. Despite its independence, the Domus Legis has close customary ties to faculty, alumni, visiting justices and the Dean, who is given honorary designation as "Member #1".
Over the years, traditions have grown to include the customary signing of the Domus Legis Society's walls by law graduates and visiting dignitaries. While the original building that housed the society was demolished in January 2004, Domus Legis' many traditions live on, including the weekly "Dome Night" which takes place every Thursday, and the annual Halloween party which attracts law students and other faculties.
The name "Domus Legis" derives from Latin, meaning "House of Law".
When the executive was finishing the final cleaning-out of the house in January 2004, the slogan "usque ad mortem bibendum" was re-discovered on the back of the Domus' exterior sign.
[edit] Notable alumni
- R.B. Bennett (graduated 1893)
- Purdy Crawford
- John Crosbie, former Minister of Finance
- Joe Clark (did not convocate), former prime minister of Canada
- Sir Graham Day, (graduating 1959)
- Darrell Dexter
- Constance Glube ('55) First Chief Justice in Canada
- Danny Graham
- Ian Hanomansing
- Lesra Martin, graduated in 1997
- Richard Bennett Hatfield
- Michael Leir, (graduated in 1974)
- Peter MacKay, (graduated 1991)
- Elizabeth May, president of the Sierra Club of Canada, Leader of the Green Party of Canada
- Peter Milliken ('71) Speaker of the House of Commons
- Brian Mulroney, attended for one year then transferred to Laval
- Donald Oliver ('64), first black senator
- Jim Prentice ('80) Conservative Member of Parliament
- Gerald Regan ('52) Premier of Nova Scotia
- Robert Stanfield, previous national leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and Premier of Nova Scotia
- Clyde Wells, (graduated 1962)
- Bertha Wilson (graduated in 1956), first female Supreme Court of Canada judge
- Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
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