From Dundee to Strasbourg

English Law LLB alumnus Judge Tim Eicke KC, the UK Judge at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), returned to the University in February to give a lecture on Crises in Europe: a view from the Strasbourg Court.

Upholding the law is a hefty burden for anyone. Doing so in today’s fast-changing legal landscape makes the demands of the job even more challenging. So imagine the weight of responsibility when you are elected as the UK’s member of the Court which ensures respect for the human rights of 700 million Europeans in the 46 member states of the Council of Europe that have ratified the ECtHR.

But there is little sign of that strain on the face of Tim Eicke KC when he chats about his life before, during and after studying at Dundee. Indeed, hearing a description of the Dundee sunshine further lights up the face of the King’s Counsel, who graduated with an LLB in English Law in 1992.

“I always enjoy visiting Dundee, though it is very different now from when I studied,” he said.

“The city centre has changed beyond recognition. It’s a very different space now –bright and friendly.

“The V&A Dundee is an obvious hotspot as well and I am really excited to come back to see these changes. It’s lovely.”

Tim’s relationship with Dundee started rather unusually. During his studies in German law at the University of Passau, his curiosity turned to the UK, where he had lived for a year as part of a school exchange programme. Despite never having visited Dundee, he wrote to the University, unique at that time for teaching both Scots and English law.

“I received such a lovely letter back. It made me feel very welcome. I had never been to Scotland before but that letter was what took me across the North Sea to Dundee,” Tim said.

Having arrived in Dundee a little older than his contemporaries, Tim acknowledges that his lifestyle in the city was perhaps more sedate than that of students leaving home for the first time. However, he fully embraced university life on the banks of the Tay, gathering with postgraduate students for drinks in the iconic Phoenix Bar, and joining the University volleyball team, with away trips often including a requisite visit to the nearest fish and chip shop for “something fried”.