In 2013 the Glasgow Law School celebrated the 'tercentenary of the creation of the Regius Chair in Civil Law. Founded in 1713 with an endowment by Queen Anne, the Regius Chair represented the revival of law teaching - which can be traced back to 1451 - at the University of Glasgow.
The first holder of the Chair, William Forbes, was appointed in 1714, and was followed by many distinguished legal scholars, including John Millar, William Gloag, Andrew Dewar Gibb, David Walker, Joe Thomson and the current holder, James Chalmers.
This collection of essays, many of which have been written by distinguished Glasgow graduates, celebrates that anniversary. It includes the inaugural lecture of James Chalmers on the history and development of the Regius Chair, and a lecture given by Lord Reed, Justice of the Supreme Court, in the tercentenary year, on human rights and domestic legal traditions.
Other papers cover a range of subjects reflecting the broad compass oflaw teaching at Glasgow, from the modern teaching of international law to a 1705 trial for piracy which precipitated the Act of Union.
Cover Illustration: William Forbes, Regius Professor of Civil Law 1714-45, Reproduced from the frontispiece of The Institutes of the Law of Scotland.