In what may be a first for a New Zealand based lawyer, Peter Watts KC has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Civil Law from Oxford University.
Emeritus Professor Peter Watts KC, who worked at the University’s Faculty of Law for more than 30 years, has been awarded the prestigious Doctor of Civil Law from the University of Oxford.
He submitted 12 of his publications to be assessed for the Doctor of Civil Law degree by internal and external examiners and in doing so, demonstrated global reach, high quality, impact and substantial sustained contribution through his research.
Throughout his career, Watts has displayed expertise and impact on a global stage. The internationally renowned expert in the law of agency has advised on the common law of agency in court proceedings and arbitrations in many jurisdictions, including England and Wales, New York and Denmark.
He also has a broad domestic practice in New Zealand in banking law, insolvency law, company law, equity and trusts, the law of restitution, and the law of contract.
Watts joined Bankside Chambers, one of New Zealand’s leading chambers in civil and commercial litigation, arbitration and mediation, on a full-time basis in 2017. Meanwhile, he has also been teaching law at Oxford several weeks a year as a visiting professor for the past five years.
The faculty extends its warmest congratulations on his achievement.
