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A grand new home for Reading's School of Law – University of Reading

Lord Rodger of Earlsferry has officially opened the recently refurbished Foxhill House – a Grade II* listed building designed by the renowned Victorian architect Alfred Waterhouse - which is the new home for the University of Reading's School of Law. At the opening ceremony on Friday 28 October, Lord Rodger of Earlsferry, until 2001 Lord President of the Court of Session, and now a Lord of Appeal, gave a lecture entitled 'Globalisation of the law': some issues and challenges. He also unveiled a plaque to mark the occasion. Patricia Leopold, Head of the School of Law, said: "The opening ceremony was a truly enjoyable event and a chance for old friends and colleagues to catch up and celebrate the beginning of a new era for Reading's School of Law. The event was attended by members of the local legal profession, alumni, local judges, existing students and representatives from other universities. "We were honoured that Lord Rodger of Earlsferry agreed to open Foxhill House, which is such a beautiful and grand building. I'm sure it will prove to be an inspirational setting for the staff and students of the School." Dating from 1868, Foxhill House is a Grade II* listed building, designed and indeed inhabited by architect Alfred Waterhouse, whose other notable works include the Natural History Museum in London, Reading School and Reading Town Hall. The recent extensive refurbishment, carried out by Warings Contractors and Sheppard Robson Architects, represents a significant investment by the University and, amongst others, the Higher Education Funding Council for England. End Notes for editors, 1. Lord Rodger of Earlsferry, was educated at the Universities of Glasgow and Oxford. He was admitted to the Scottish Bar in 1974 and appointed Solicitor General for Scotland in 1989 and Lord Advocate in l992. In 1996, he became President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice General of Scotland. He has been a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary since 2001. 2. The School of Law at the University of Reading is Berkshire's leading law school, unrivalled in its teaching and internationally renowned as a centre of excellence in research. The high standing of the School has been confirmed by a succession of recent government surveys which have confirmed the School's standing as a provider of teaching and research excellence. For more information, please see: http://www.reading.ac.uk/law