History

The Otago District Law Society was officially formed in August 1879 when the empowering legislation was passed. The Library of the Society was established even earlier in 1867.

In 1902 the Society moved with the Courts into the Court Building in Lower Stuart St. The opening of the Court Building in 1902 was marked by a procession of lawyers from the old courts down Stuart St. to the new site.

The Historic Library on the 1st floor was set up for the Society, and remains a working library and meeting place for the Society.

Law students had their lectures in this building until the Law Faculty moved onto the University Campus in 1962.

The refurbishment of the Courts in 2002 caused the offices of the Society to move across the road to the Mooneys Building. This is the first time in its history that the Society does not have an office in the Court Building.