Newly-appointed University of Canterbury (UC) Emeritus Professor Stephen Todd is sharing his legal expertise in a soon-to-be-published children’s book on quirky and unusual legal dilemmas.
Having served UC Faculty of Law for more than four decades, Emeritus Professor Todd (pictured) says he is looking forward to preserving his ties to the faculty through his love of writing and by bringing the quirks of the law to life for younger audiences.
“The idea for my children’s book began when my six-year-old grandson spotted my torts book and asked, “What is a tort?” After I explained and shared a funny example, he wanted more stories.”
“This inspired me to write 10 tales, with lovely cartoons drawn by a friend, which I gave to my grandchildren for Christmas. I enjoy making legal arguments both understandable and entertaining for children,” Emeritus Professor Todd says.
One of his examples is an American case of a baseball club mascot who used a hot-dog-shaped air gun to shoot free hotdogs into the crowd.
“Unfortunately, a hot dog hit someone in the crowd, who sued. The question was whether being hit by a hot dog was the same as being hit by a baseball. Baseball claims fail because everyone knows that there is a risk of being hit by the ball, however, it was held that being shot by a hot dog was quite different and the claim succeeded,” he explains.
With several writing projects in the planning, he cites his publications as career highlights.
“The publication of my book of songs Leading Cases in Song has given me the most pleasure of all my works,” he says.
Set to the music of Gilbert & Sullivan operas and with comical illustrations, Leading Cases in Song presents leading and amusing decisions of the courts through song, and even includes score sheets.
Emeritus Professor Todd’s academic work has been in the field of private law. A preeminent authority on New Zealand tort law – rules concerned with remedying harms caused by a person’s wrongful actions – his groundbreaking textbook Todd on Torts is the most cited text in New Zealand courts as well as being widely cited overseas.
“My torts book has been a highlight of my career. It was first published in 1991 and came out in its 9th edition last year,” he says.
“I am planning a 10th edition for 2026-2027.”
Emeritus Professor Todd was awarded the honorary title for his extraordinary contributions to legal scholarship, education, and leadership, both within the University and across Aotearoa New Zealand.
“I am grateful to the University for awarding me the title of Emeritus Professor. It certainly is an honour, and it will be a big help to me as I will be coming back to the Law School to continue writing,” he says.
The University says Emeritus Professor Todd has had a profound influence on New Zealand’s legal landscape, especially on the developing common law in this country.
“His influence extends to his research on New Zealand’s accident compensation scheme, where his work has informed critical developments in compensation law,” UC said in a statement.
His scholarly impact is recognised internationally, and he has delivered lectures at prestigious institutions, including the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and 20th Congress of the International Academy of Comparative Law.
In 2022, he was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi.
