Emeritus Professor Upendra Baxi Hon LLD has been admitted to the degree of Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) in recognition of his innovative legal scholarship and his unwavering pursuit of social justice.
The award was conferred on Monday 31 August at a ceremony in Delhi, India, which was presided over by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Mike Ryan.
The citation was written by the Honourable Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG and read on his behalf by Vice-President (External Engagement) Kirsten Andrews.
"Emeritus Professor Baxi has urged tirelessly against many forms of injustice including Indigenous rights, prisoners’ rights, developmental rights, and the need for judicial activism to tackle endemic injustice towards minorities," Justice Kirby said.
"This lifelong pursuit, along with his energy and undimmed optimism, have left an indelible mark on discourse and practice within the legal profession."
Head of School and Dean of Sydney Law School, Professor Fleur Johns paid tribute to Emeritus Professor Baxi's profound impact on both legal scholarship and his contribution to the University.
"Emeritus Professor Baxi has made an extraordinary contribution to legal scholarship and to the pursuit of justice, challenging us to think more deeply about the relationship between law, power and inequality," she said.
"His time at Sydney Law School was an important part of that legacy, and his intellectual generosity and enduring commitment to social justice continues to resonate with our students, staff and alumni."
Championing justice across continents
Emeritus Professor Baxi studied at Rajkot University in Gujarat, India, before earning his law degrees from the University of Bombay and the University of California, Berkeley.
In his early years, he witnessed the historic events of Indian independence and the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950.
At the age of 30, he arrived in Australia to teach international law and jurisprudence at the Sydney Law School, under the leadership of Challis Professor Julius Stone who is recognised internationally as one of the premier legal theorists who profoundly influenced law in the areas of human rights and social justice.
Emeritus Professor Baxi contributed to this impact through his engagement with Stone, which expanded the understanding of law and justice at that time.
Baxi was, and remains, a fearless advocate for social justice. He contested Australia’s lingering colonial attitudes and was among the first to speak out against the denial of First Nation’s land rights.
Emeritus Professor Baxi has urged tirelessly against many forms of injustice including Indigenous rights, prisoners’ rights, developmental rights, and the need for judicial activism to tackle endemic injustice towards minorities.
- Honourable Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG
After leaving Sydney in 1973, Emeritus Professor Baxi’s career flourished globally, going on to influence Indian Constitutional jurisprudence through his writing, and played an active role in advancing social action litigation in India.
He taught in law faculties of leading institutions including New York University Law School, Duke University, the University of Toronto and others.
For 23 years, he served as Professor of Law at the University of Delhi, where he is now Emeritus Professor.
He was also Vice-Chancellor of both the University of South Gujarat and the University of Delhi. Thereafter, he was Professor of Law at the University of Warwick and now an Emeritus Professor at Warwick.
Today, he continues his legal scholarship as an Honorary Distinguished Professor in many Indian National Law School Universities of India.
Emeritus Professor Baxi’s contributions to society have been recognised with numerous accolades, including honorary doctorates from famous universities, and lifetime achievement awards from the Indian Lawyers’ Association and the Indian Society of International Law.
In 2011, he was awarded the Padmashri—one of India’s highest civilian honours.
For 23 years, Baxi served as Professor of Law at the University of Delhi, where he is now Emeritus Professor.
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