Christine Joblin is a distinguished New Zealand legal academic and lawyer, recognized for her extensive contributions to the fields of property law, equity, and trusts. She holds the position of Professor of Law at the University of Waikato, where she has been a prominent faculty member for many years.
Early Life and Education Joblin earned her Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Master of Laws degrees from the University of Auckland. Her early academic achievements laid the groundwork for a career focused on legal scholarship and education.
Academic and Professional Career Christine Joblin joined the Faculty of Law at the University of Waikato in 1993. Throughout her tenure, she has played a pivotal role in the faculty's development, including serving as Dean of Law from 2004 to 2008. In this leadership role, she oversaw academic programs, faculty research, and strategic planning.
Her research and teaching interests primarily lie in property law, encompassing land law, Māori land law, and the intricacies of the Property Law Act. She is also a leading authority on equity and the law of trusts, areas in which her publications are frequently cited.
Beyond her university responsibilities, Joblin has contributed significantly to the wider legal community. From 2010 to 2015, she served as a Commissioner for the New Zealand Law Commission, an independent Crown entity responsible for reviewing and recommending reforms to the laws of New Zealand. Her work with the Commission involved contributing to various law reform projects, influencing legislative changes. She is also a long-standing editor of the New Zealand Law Review, a prestigious peer-reviewed journal that publishes scholarly articles on New Zealand law.
Key Publications Christine Joblin is the co-author of Principles of Property Law, a widely used and authoritative textbook for property law students in New Zealand, written with the Hon Justice Andrew Butler. This work, now in multiple editions, is a cornerstone text in legal education. She has also authored numerous articles and chapters in edited collections, addressing complex issues in property rights, equitable principles, and their application within the New Zealand legal framework.
Influence and Legacy Through her teaching, research, and involvement in significant legal bodies, Christine Joblin has profoundly influenced legal education and the development of property law and equity in New Zealand. Her scholarship is highly regarded and frequently referenced by judges, practitioners, and other academics, solidifying her status as a leading figure in New Zealand jurisprudence.