Publications

Law students have produced many publications over the years, ranging from the light-hearted newssheet De Minimis to the peer-reviewed Melbourne University Law Review.

Before the establishment of the Summons in 1891, law students found an outlet for their topical and creative writings in the university's other student publications.

The earliest of these was the Melbourne University Review, first published in July 1884 by the newly-formed Melbourne University Union. John Monash was its founding editor. Published until 1891, the University Review regularly reported on the concerns of law students, and published articles on legal education and related topics as well as poems and other creative works submitted by law students.

The July 1885 issue of the University Review was to see the first appearance of 'Legal Echoes' by 'Serjeant Buzfuz'. Over the following decade, 'Buzfuz' was a regular contributor to university publications, providing irreverent comment on the legal topics of the day. After 'Serjeant Buzfuz' retired his pen was taken up by 'the Plagiarist', who continued to write in a similar vein.

Other student publications that provided an outlet for law students and, at times, their lecturers were The Undergrad (1890), The Quadrangle (1892), Alma Mater (1895–1898), The Melbourne University Magazine (1907–1979) and, from 1925, Farrago.