Bob Hughes Prize
The Bob Hughes Prize was established in recognition of the remarkable contribution of the late Bob Hughes to the establishment, in 1993, and subsequent development of the School of Law at the University of New England. He brought the School into existence and played a dominant role in implementing its program.
The School of Law still stands as a monument to his enterprise, determination, perceptiveness and courage. Bob was born in Macksville in 1950. Articled to a solicitor in Macksville, he studied law under the SAB (Solicitors Admission Board) system.
A few years after admission as a solicitor, he had his own practice and owned offices in Macksville and Nambucca Heads. At the same time, he studied a BA as an external student of the University of New England, with majors in Politics and Philosophy. In 1983, having been awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship, he sold his practice and became a full-time student. He graduated with first-class honours and a University Medal in 1984. He then commenced a PhD in political philosophy and was awarded the degree in 1990. His thesis was greatly admired by his examiners and demonstrated his broad and multi-disciplinary scholarship, his fascination with the philosophical underpinnings of law and social science, and his formidable powers of intellect and analysis.
Bob developed a vision to create a law school at UNE and developed a plan for its establishment and operation. With help from a Visiting Professor, Emil Hayek, Bob designed the LLB (Bachelor of Laws) degree, wrote most of the units, planned the gradual employment of staff as courses expanded, and established the Law Library. Bob envisioned that someday all law courses at UNE would be studied electronically by students who would have access to a virtual law library. Bob died in 2008.
It is now a matter of history that the Law School at UNE has been a great success. The Bob Hughes prize was established to assist law students from disadvantaged backgrounds in completing their studies in Law at the University of New England.
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