1954 Saint John Convocation
Graduation Address
Delivered by: Kerwin, Patrick
Content
"Chief Justice Pays Tribute to Law School" Telegraph-Journal (16 October 1954). (UA Case 69, Box 1)
The head of Canada's highest court paid tribute Friday at Saint John, to accomplishments of the University of New Brunswick's Law School faculty in Saint John.
Chief Justice Patrick Kerwin of Ottawa told a UNB Convocation gathering that the teaching of law was of paramount importance and responsibilities resting on any faculty of law were onerous.
In the past, he went on, "these responsibilities have been met fully and with accomplishment at the University of New Brunswick, and it is the firm conviction of all that in the future, its faculty will follow a noble tradition."
The chief justice was one of eight recipients of honorary doctorates at fall convocation exercises which followed formal opening of Beaverbrook House, UNB's new law faculty building in Saint John.
In his convocation address, Chief Justice Kerwin traced the teaching of law back to its origin in remote antiquity. And he declared that rule of law is necessary for the well-being of democratic civilizations.
Object of law, he said, was to regulate the transactions of, and relationships among, various members of the human race. Thus, each member of the society was bound to feel its impact in his daily life.
Bulwark of the law was a free and independent judiciary, he said, expressing the opinion that in Canada, the people had confidence in the ability, integrity, and impartiality of the members of their judiciary.
More than this, however, he added, the courts must rely on the assistance and cooperation of the bar. And students of law must be taught not merely "What the professor knows, but they must be trained to think for themselves."
Stressing the importance of proper training in the law, he quoted Cardinal Newman's declaration "That the true and adequate end of intellectual training and of a university is not learning or acquirement, but rather is thought, or reason exercised upon knowledge."
In conclusion, Chief Justice Kerwin reminded his audience that anyone connected with the law must continue to pursue a studious course.
The head of Canada's highest court paid tribute Friday at Saint John, to accomplishments of the University of New Brunswick's Law School faculty in Saint John.
Chief Justice Patrick Kerwin of Ottawa told a UNB Convocation gathering that the teaching of law was of paramount importance and responsibilities resting on any faculty of law were onerous.
In the past, he went on, "these responsibilities have been met fully and with accomplishment at the University of New Brunswick, and it is the firm conviction of all that in the future, its faculty will follow a noble tradition."
The chief justice was one of eight recipients of honorary doctorates at fall convocation exercises which followed formal opening of Beaverbrook House, UNB's new law faculty building in Saint John.
In his convocation address, Chief Justice Kerwin traced the teaching of law back to its origin in remote antiquity. And he declared that rule of law is necessary for the well-being of democratic civilizations.
Object of law, he said, was to regulate the transactions of, and relationships among, various members of the human race. Thus, each member of the society was bound to feel its impact in his daily life.
Bulwark of the law was a free and independent judiciary, he said, expressing the opinion that in Canada, the people had confidence in the ability, integrity, and impartiality of the members of their judiciary.
More than this, however, he added, the courts must rely on the assistance and cooperation of the bar. And students of law must be taught not merely "What the professor knows, but they must be trained to think for themselves."
Stressing the importance of proper training in the law, he quoted Cardinal Newman's declaration "That the true and adequate end of intellectual training and of a university is not learning or acquirement, but rather is thought, or reason exercised upon knowledge."
In conclusion, Chief Justice Kerwin reminded his audience that anyone connected with the law must continue to pursue a studious course.
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