Lady Clark opens Willock Room in honour of former Dundee Professor

Published On Tue 11 Nov 2014 by Roddy Isles

The Rt Hon Lady Clark of Calton, one of Scotland’s most senior judges, returned to the University of Dundee on Monday November 10^th to open a new library facility for law students named after Professor Ian Willock, one of her own former tutors.

Ian Willock was appointed Professor of Jurisprudence in the Faculty of Law at what was then Queen’s College, Dundee, in 1965. He became one of the most respected legal educators in Scotland over the course of a long career. Following his death last year at the age of 83, it was decided that a new library facility being provided for students of Law should be named after him.

Among his many distinguished students was Lynda Clark, who went on to tutor and lecture at the University herself before being admitted to the Faculty of Advocates and beginning a rise to the very top of the legal profession. She returned to the University to open the Willock Room in the main library.

“We are delighted to welcome Lady Clark back to the University, particularly to help honour the memory of Ian Willock, who had such an impact on Law at Dundee over many years,” said Professor Alice Belcher, of the School of Law.

“The Willock Room will feature Ian’s own degree certificates and a portrait that I am sure will offer inspiration to all of our students.”

A pair of artworks have also been specially commissioned for the Law section of the main library. One is a bust of Lady Clark, produced by Stephen Winstanley, an undergraduate sculptor at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD).

Another DJCAD student, Allan Davies, has produced a triptych scene depicting a traditional `moot’ or legal debate.

“The work that Allan and Stephen have produced adds character to the Law Library,” said Christine Backler, Assistant Director of the Library and Learning Centre. “It has also been valuable experience for both the artists and the Law students to engage in a commissioning process which has produced this work.”

Roddy Isles
Head of Press
TEL: 01382 384910
MOBILE: 07800 581902
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk