The University of Aberdeen School of Law has paid tribute to its former Vice Principal and Head of Faculty, Professor Philip Love CBE, who passed away on 2 February aged 84.
A law student at the University, during his time here he was joint winner of the Society of Advocates Prize in Roman Law and graduated MA, LLB (with Commendation) in 1963. He started his professional career at the law firm Campbell Connon & Co before joining the University as an assistant in the Department of Scots Law and a part time lecturer in Evidence and Procedure in the Faculty of Law.
Over the years he progressed to Chair of Conveyancing and Professional Practice of Law, and was elected Dean of the Faculty of Law for a four year term in 1979 and again in 1991, during which time he earned a reputation for being a passionate educator and vocal advocate for nurturing Scotland’s future legal talent.
From there Professor Love was appointed Vice Principal of the University from 1986 to 1990, and served as Senior Vice Principal from 1989 to 1990 under George McNicol, responsible for guiding the growth and development of the University.
Greg Gordon, current Head of the University of Aberdeen School of Law, said: “Many of us working both in academia and across the legal profession have much to thank Philip Love for. He was a committed teacher, an immensely talented legal mind and an inspiration to many.”
Professor Love was a prominent member of many prestigious groups in Scotland’s legal landscape. A past president of the Law Society, commissioner of the Scottish Law Commission and chairman of the Scottish Conveyancing and Executry Services Board, he was also an Honorary Sheriff of Grampian, Highlands and Islands and Scottish representative on the International Bar Association.
He was awarded a CBE for his services to Scottish Law in 1983.
Professor Love continued to be a consultant in private practice in Aberdeen until 1992, before deciding to leave the north-east of Scotland and move to Merseyside where he served as a High Sheriff, as well as Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Liverpool.
While at Liverpool University he was instrumental in setting up the Russell Group of Universities and was made Honorary LLD by Liverpool University on his retirement in 2002.
Professor Love had returned to Aberdeen in recent years, where he was a member of the Royal Northern and University Club and the Society of Advocates in Aberdeen.