Law School to feature on weekly TV programme

The University's Law School is to be the focus of a new, weekly TVNZ 7 programme starting in July, The Court Report. Its aim is to take a detailed look at legal issues, with a focus on underlying principles and informed analysis.

It is to be made by local production company Gibson Group and will have a panel format with a prominent local barrister as its leader.

"A strength of our Law School is its unique position in the capital," says Dean of Law, Professor Tony Smith.

"Our proximity to the principal legal institutions - Parliament, the courts and the public service - will be emphasised by this programme, which places Victoria at the heart of legal discussion in this country."

"Another strength of ours is the calibre of our academics, and they, too, will be part of the programme, where appropriate."

The programme's producer says the panel will vary from week to week but will include politicians, practitioners, academics and journalists.

The Law School, through a series of public seminars, conferences and lectures, regards the promotion of intelligent and informed debate on legal matters an important part of its purpose.

"The Court Report provides an opportunity to extend that purpose via another medium," says Professor Smith.

TVNZ 7 is a public service channel. The programme will screen more than once weekly and will also be online. It has a monthly audience of 1.6 million people.

The Court Report will be filmed in a lecture theatre on Tuesday nights in front of an audience consisting of law students, legal practitioners and the wider university community. There will be time for questions from the audience at the end of the show.

"The prospect of a gritty, energetic and intelligent contribution towards legal debate is wonderful opportunity for the Law School and the University," says Professor Smith.