Feedback is being sought on the creation of a new faculty, combining the Faculty of Law and the Faculty of Business and Economics.

Have your say

We value your input and invite you to provide feedback on this proposal.

• Review the proposal document
  
• Complete the online feedback form by 5pm, Monday 20 January 2025
  

These include:

• That the Faculty of Law become part of the Faculty of Business and Economics and the combined faculty then undertake a process to consider its name.
• That the brand names and identities “Auckland University Business School” and “Auckland Law School” be retained alongside the name of the combined faculty.
• That two law departments be created within the Auckland Law School:
  • One focused on private law and related areas like commercial, corporate, intellectual property, and technology law. Members of the current Department of Commercial Law in the Business School would become members of the private and commercial law department in the Law School.
  • The other focused on public law, including criminal, environmental, indigenous, and international law.
  • Each department would have a head of department, with one head of department being the Dean of the Law School, who would report to the dean of the combined faculty, and one head of department being the Deputy Dean of the Law School.
• That transition leadership be established to ensure the changes are effectively managed and to minimiseany impacts to teaching and research. An Acting Dean of Law would manage the transition before the heads of department (including the Dean/Deputy Dean of the Auckland Law School) are appointed. The current Dean of Business and Economics would be the dean of the combined faculty.

Synergies

This proposed new faculty arrangement would offer the business community expanded access to a broad spectrum of academic legal expertise, while providing the legal sector with direct insight into commercial and corporate practices essential for addressing today’s complex challenges.

Integration

Law brings strengths in public law and private law, while Business and Economics offers expertise in accounting, economics, international business, marketing, information systems, and broadly in technology and management. By uniting these complementary strengths, we could create a platform that amplifies academic innovation, strengthens our strategic adaptability, and delivers heightened value to students, staff, and external partners alike.

Resilience and capacity

A combined faculty of Business and Economics and Law, with 8,000+ EFTS, would allow us to streamline resources and support structures, aligning more closely with other faculties in size and capacity. This structure would support our ability to grow and diversify offerings, expand staff research opportunities, and optimise funding across all areas of Law, including environmental, tax, indigenous, and technology-focused legal studies.

Staff-focused questions and answers are on the staff intranet. For any questions, speak with your manager or HR manager (staff intranet).

You can also send an email to strategicinitiative@auckland.ac.nz.