Our history
The City of Edinburgh has been a major centre for Law since the middle ages, and for more than 300 years the University has trained generations of the world's finest legal minds.
The first Chair in Law, the Regius Chair of Public Law and the Law of Nature and Nations, was established in 1707, appointed to Charles Areskine, MA (St Andrews) and Regent in Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh.
Areskine had a distinguished legal and political career, entering Parliament in 1722, and serving as Solicitor General (1725-1737) and Lord Advocate (1737-1742), before appointment to the bench as Lord Tinwald in 1742. In 1748 he became Lord Justice Clerk.
Over the following three centuries the Law School has experienced many changes, and the modern school has been shaped by the passion, commitment and acheivements of the staff, students and visitors who have been part of this world-class institution.
You can read a short history about the Law School written by Professors John W. Cairns and Hector L. MacQueen.
Download 'Learning and the Law: A short history of Edinburgh Law School' [pdf]
Old College is the most iconic building in the Edinburgh University estate; it is held in high regard by planners and Historic Scotland, and is recognised with an ‘A’ listing indicating that the building is of national/international importance. It was built between 1789 and 1827, with the iconic dome added later in 1887. It is the work of three of Scotland’s most talented and important architects of the Georgian and Late Victorian periods.
Historic timeline
16 November 1789 – The Foundation Stone for Old College, a single building to house the whole of the University was laid in the Old Quad.
1791 – 1794
Highlights include the assembly of the great monolithic Roman Doric columns at the South Bridge entrance to Old College, and the completion of Adam’s octagonal lecture theatre, before the financial demands of the build-up to the Napoleonic Wars stopped work. Adam died in 1792 at the age of 63.
1815 – 1816
Following Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo, money granted by parliament for the completion of Old College. William Henry Playfair, aged just 25 when he submitted his plans, was declared the winner of a competition to choose a new architect for Old College.
1840
Iron gates at east entrance (South Bridge entrance ) added – Playfair’s final contribution to the building.
1887
Dome of Old College erected over the South Bridge entrance by Robert Rowand Anderson at a cost of £3700 and paid for with a bequest from Robert Cox, a Gorgie lawyer.
1905 – 1967
Gradual migration of the remaining University departments, with the exception of the Law School, out of Old College.
2011
Old Quad restored and a central lawn installed, a £1-million-pound anonymous donation finally allowing the vision of the Old College Trustees in the 1820s to be realised.
2014
In the 225th anniversary year of the laying of the Foundation Stone of Old College, the Law School marked the beginning of a major refurbishment of its home with a grand recreation of the original procession held to lay the original Foundation Stone.
2015 - 2019
The refurbishment of the Law School's rooms in Old College is completed, providing state-of-the-art facilities, fit for a world-class Law School.
