Born: 17 August, 1956, in Algeria.
Died: 15 June, 2008, in Dunfermline, aged 51.
JOELLE Godard taught comparative criminal procedure and French comparative law at Edinburgh University and taught law (and French
) at the Law Society in Edinburgh, with many of her students becoming senior members of the profession. Godard was a member of the Franco-British Lawyers Society and was greatly involved with the 700th anniversary of the Auld Alliance celebrations.
On the afternoon of her funeral, in recognition of her work, the flags on all the main buildings of Edinburgh University were lowered and there was a minute's silence in her honour at the International Maritime Conference at Dartmouth.
Godard was an imaginative and energetic former president of the Franco-British Lawyers Society in Scotland, improving understanding of the French, Scottish and English legal systems. In 2003, she was awarded the Palme Académique in recognition of her services to education in France.
Michael Clancy of the Law Society of Scotland says her work for the organisation "brought an outside perspective on the Scottish legal system that proved invaluable in all our undertakings, especially in Brussels. Joëlle added some delightful Gallic spice to the legal profession in Scotland."
Joëlle Godard was born in Algeria when it was still a French colony. During the struggle for independence the family returned to France and settled in Pau. Godard read law but travelled widely, visiting Scotland, where she met Andrew Weatherley, a solicitor who became her lifelong partner. In 1985 she decided to discontinue her legal studies in France and came to live in Edinburgh. The following year she officiated at a class at the Law Society originally conceived to teach French to Scottish lawyers. But, typically, Godard expanded the concept to teach French law. Its success was such that Godard was offered a part-time post at Edinburgh University teaching French comparative law, later adding classes in comparative criminal procedure.
Godard became much involved with the Franco-British Lawyers Society, which hitherto had concentrated on matters in France and England. Godard raised the profile of the Scottish legal profession and by 1993 was a major force within the society. She organised a three-day educational event in 1994, including a full mock trial involving judges and advocates from France and judges, advocates and solicitors from Scotland. Subsequent events organised by her included a visit to the Cour de Cassation, France's highest court, to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the Auld Alliance, numerous seminars and, most recently, a seminar on the responsibility of the judge in France, England and Scotland.
Godard continued to teach at Edinburgh University and published numerous articles in legal magazines. In 2007 she decided to study for her doctorate. Despite ill health she recently had her last meeting with her supervisor, who told her, in effect, that the doctorate was hers.
Michael Clancy, who attended her French law classes, remembers how she brought "grace and humour" to her classes. He said: "To be taught by her was an experience in itself. I was recently introducing senior judges from France and Scotland at a conference in Inverness when I used the word 'collaborators'. Afterwards Joëlle jokingly suggested that was not, perhaps, the most appropriate word to have used when introducing a French judge. Joëlle was, truly, a remarkable individual."
Despite her ill health she remained buoyant and as endearing as ever, maintaining her keen interest in music and continuing to play the piano. Godard was a loyal and generous friend and a tireless promoter of women in and outside legal and academic circles.
Godard, who died after a sudden illness, is survived by Andrew Weatherley and their two daughters.
The full article contains 622 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
