With Heartfelt Remembrance: Professor Peter Frederick Rhodes
We deeply mourn the passing of Professor Peter Frederick Rhodes, a dearly valued member of the CUHK LAW community, whose unwavering dedication to legal education and professional development has left a profound and lasting impact.
Professor Rhodes served as Professor of Practice in Law and Professional Consultant at CUHK LAW for close to two decades, until his recent retirement. Prior to that, his distinguished career spanned continents and decades, and was marked by a deep commitment to nurturing future generations of legal professionals. He led professional development efforts at leading law firms across New Zealand, Hong Kong, and the United States, bringing with him a global outlook and an abiding passion for excellence in legal training. He also taught at universities in Canada, the United States, and Hong Kong, and served with distinction as Dean of the Faculty of Law at The University of Hong Kong for several years.
At CUHK LAW, Professor Rhodes was cherished for his generosity of spirit, practical wisdom, and devotion to teaching. Among his most enduring contributions was his wholehearted support of student mooting. He was a tireless and beloved coach, mentor, and guide to CUHK LAW’s moot teams, preparing them with care and conviction for international competitions. His clarity of thought, unfailing encouragement, and quiet confidence in his students enabled them to flourish on the world stage. Many remember his coaching not only as a formative part of their legal education, but as an experience that shaped their growth as advocates and individuals.
Peter was more than a teacher or colleague — he was a mentor, a leader, and a friend. His warmth, kindness, and integrity touched all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy lives on in the many students and colleagues he inspired, and in the values he lived and taught by. He will be dearly missed, and fondly remembered.
Condolences and tributes
“It is with great personal sadness that I write this short tribute to Peter, the shock of his passing difficult to take in. Peter was a larger-than-life figure who loved Hong Kong and loved the whole experience of teaching. I was personally delighted when Peter confided in me that, after a stellar career which included serving as Dean at our sister institution, the Faculty of Law at Hong Kong University, he wanted to concentrate the rest of his career on teaching students. I seized the opportunity and lost no time in bringing Peter into our family. It was the happiest of marriages.
Peter was a devoted and passionate teacher. His lectures were a model of clarity and inclusiveness that brought the best out of every student in his class. Every student he met was respected as an individual. Every student he met became a personal student. Every student he met enabled him to help someone develop not only intellectually but as a person. Every student he met became a better person because they saw Peter as a role model.
Peter was a wonderful colleague with complete integrity. He was a trusted friend to all members of staff, administrative and faculty alike. Through his long academic experience and quiet, engaging personality, he was able to bring a calm reflective mind to all formal discussions. Everyone could see in Peter’s undemonstrative character an individual who was dependable, trustworthy, and completely honest.
I count myself fortunate to have met Peter and treasure the times we spent together. In everything he did -family, friendship and teaching- he was dedicated, loyal and honorable. Peter was a colossus.”
Professor Mike McConville, Founding Dean and Emeritus Professor
“I met Peter just a few days after joining CUHK Law and was immediately struck by his open, cheerful nature. I felt that this was someone I would enjoy working with. My instincts were not mistaken. Although I knew him principally as one of the best classroom teachers in the Faculty, he was also always prepared to share his advice with a newcomer, drawing on his long experience of Hong Kong law and, most aptly, as a former Hong Kong Law Dean.
Law Schools grow their reputations on the strength and attractiveness of their teaching programmes, and from the quality of their research. Peter was of course widely-recognised as an outstanding teacher. But he played a leading role in developing the Faculty’s reputation by another route – the establishment of the Faculty as a major force in Mooting, locally, regionally and internationally.
When he joined the School of Law in 2006 there was already an enthusiasm amongst the students towards participating in mooting competitions, and the law. The School had entered a team for the Vis (East) International Commercial Arbitration Moot, but they did not have a coach. Peter stepped up and from that point onwards mooting began to flourish in the Faculty.
Peter understood the value of mooting for his students. Not only does it help to develop technical legal skills but, as Peter once explained. mooting “also develops .. what we might call life skills: an opportunity to learn to work in a team. Mooting develops students’ ability to work with difficult people; to learn how to motivate each other …”
As a teacher who had manifestly acquired those skills over his distinguished career, Peter was ideally suited to impart them to his students.
We are all shocked by Peter’s passing. We are, to adapt John Donne’s phrase, “diminished” by his passing. But we can, in our different ways, take comfort from having known him as a colleague, a friend, a teacher and a mentor.”
Professor Christopher Gane, Emeritus Professor of Law and Dean of the Faculty of Law 2011-2019
“Peter was a fantastic colleague, a firm supporter of CUHK LAW and a brilliant law teacher whose dedication to his students was almost second to none.
I have known and worked with Peter from the moment he joined CUHK LAW as we both had a background in international business law. Over the past decade he taught the course on “The Law of International Business Transactions I” (known by everybody as “IBT I”) while I taught “IBT II”. Year after year we coordinated our courses, exchanged experiences, discussed different teaching approaches and agreed again and again how rewarding it was to work with our very smart and diligent IBT students.
Peter was also a great academic leader with extensive experience, very good people skills and a practical and goal-oriented way of dealing with administrative challenges. He was committed to maintaining standards while insisting on absolute fairness thus earning the respect of all concerned parties. CUHK LAW was blessed to have him.
Rest in peace, Peter! It was an honor to work with you. You will be missed dearly, but your memory will live on in the hearts of your colleagues and of the generations of Greater China lawyers whom you have trained.”
Professor Lutz-Christian Wolff, Wei Lun Professor of Law & Dean (em.) CUHK LAW 2019-2024
“Peter touched many lives, as a leader, a teacher, a mentor, a friend, and a cherished member of his family. To me, he was, first and foremost, a deeply human soul.
Peter coached the CUHK Vis Moot team for 18 years. He often referred to the teams he coached as his “CUHK Vis Family.” With great pride, he would share photos of the “18 generations of our Vis family” and speak with delight about celebrating the anticipated arrival of “our first Vis baby”—whose mother and father were both former team members. To Peter, being a coach was far more than a professional role; it was a deeply personal commitment. He cared about each team, remembered each member, and took pride in their growth long after the competition ended.
That same spirit continued to shape his contributions to the Faculty more broadly, right up to his final days in post. Towards the end of the recent Faculty Retreat, we marked Peter’s retirement. In his closing reflections, he spoke with characteristic humility about his own modest beginnings, and quietly affirmed the importance of broadening access to legal education, an area the Faculty holds dear and to which it is giving increasing focus. None of us – not even Peter himself – could have known that these would be his final formal address within the Faculty; he had kindly offered to take part in our 20th anniversary commemorations after returning from his planned retirement travels. But that moment captured who Peter was: a man who cared deeply – with sincerity, compassion, and quiet conviction.
It is with great sorrow that we mark the loss of one of our earliest members. But Peter’s spirit lives on. His nearly two-decade journey at CUHK LAW reminds us that at the heart of any institution are its people. Peter will be dearly missed – by all whose lives he touched along the way.”
Professor Chao Xi, Dean and Professor
“A valued and respected member of the University’s Senate Committee on Student Discipline, Peter was a cherished friend, colleague, and mentor whose contributions made a profound impact on our committee and the wider community.
We had recently celebrated his retirement and the completion of his committee term—occasions made genuinely special by his cheerful presence and warm spirit. Professionally, Peter was always serious and reliable; his dedication and wisdom guided our committee’s work in meaningful ways. Yet beyond meetings, he was a joy to be around—we enjoyed many lively conversations, from his fascinating life stories to his hopes and plans for retirement.
As a distinguished legal practitioner and passionate educator, Peter inspired many with his integrity and generosity. Though now separated by heaven and earth, we hold his memory close to our hearts and will continue to honor his remarkable legacy. His absence is deeply felt, and he will always be remembered with deep gratitude and affection.
Peter was a truly great man. It was my honour and true pleasure to be his colleague and friend.”
Professor Jimmy Lee, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Student Discipline
“Peter was not just a mentor to me; he was a true friend. One of the qualities that defined Peter was his unwavering kindness to students and friends. His leadership of the CUHK Vis Moot team for the past 19 years is a testament to his dedication to nurturing students to improve. His last gift to me was an advocacy book he had in his office. It shaped my journey and made me become the best version of myself. Peter, your legacy will live on, and your impact on our lives and CUHK LAW will never be forgotten.”
Charles Chan, CUHK Vis 2024-25
“A few paragraphs gives one too small a space to pay tribute to so big a man. Peter Rhodes was an old-school bastion that a new law school was privileged to have in its ranks.
Day to day, to his brothers- and sisters-in-arms at CUHK LAW he was, to use an aptly old-fashioned word for the finest old-fashioned gentleman, decent, with all that word’s connotations of virtues such as generosity, measure, fairness and constancy. When it came to the job, he was punctilious to a fault. He was, to us, a teacher of teachers.
Virtually every liegeman of the Law trained in Hong Kong over the last four decades – from its practitioners to its judges of the highest courts in the land – passed through his lecture halls. Many of his former students, now successful members of the professions and industry, many themselves now parents, have written to convey their shock and sadness at hearing of their teacher’s passing. The almost two decades of his mooting students, who Peter collectively called “the Vis family”, will feel this most acutely. And to the very, very last day of his career he cared for his students – even those who have yet to set foot in law school. In his last speech in Faculty at its recent retreat, he ended by recounting to his colleagues his modest upbringing, urging us all to make sure we give the underprivileged the best chance in the Law and in life. That was Peter. That was just like Peter.
I too will miss you. To my office neighbour and friend of 17 years, farewell and rest well.”
Mr. Matthew Cheung
“I am overcome with sadness in writing this tribute to Peter. He was a fantastic colleague who devoted so much time to helping students and colleagues in all aspects of University life. I had the pleasure of co-teaching with Peter on Principles of the Law of Torts a number of years back. I fondly remember how he readily shared many of his classroom teaching tips, such as the incorporating teaching props (e.g. his famous shoe), and I benefited greatly from his dedication towards staying up to date on the latest developments in the law and he shared and discussed new notable cases each week. I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Peter and I send my deepest condolences to his family, whom he always spoke very fondly and proudly of.”
Mr. Elliot Fung
“Peter was a father figure to many, including myself. I remember during difficult times, confiding in him, knowing that I can fully trust him. He generously gave his time, patience and guidance.
I have utmost respect for Peter – someone who inspires by example, teaches with passion, leads with fairness. A dedicated colleague, a great man, a beautiful soul. A true leader whose words match his actions.
Peter, thank you for inspiring generations of law students at CUHK LAW. We were all lucky to have you.”
Professor Queenie Lai
“I will remember Peter as a beloved teacher, mentor and colleague.
It was always a pleasure to teach the LLB and JD courses in Torts with him. When I arrived at CUHK in 2021, he welcomed me warmly and helped ease my transition into a new law school in a different jurisdiction. He was gentle, generous and fair in all dealings with students and colleagues.
Meeting and working with Peter only in the later years of his long and distinguished career gave me the opportunity to reflect on the essence of being a law teacher. He once told me with pride how his former students are now in all corners of the globe, how he kept in touch with many of them and how much he enjoyed hearing about how their careers have developed and their lives have turned out. In the end, this is what matters most, and is most rewarding, about teaching: to share knowledge and experience, to foster personal growth, to build a community, and to pass on the torch to the next generation.
And this is what brings comfort in our current sadness – that Peter’s legacy lives on in all of us who knew him.”
Professor Normann Witzleb
“Over the years, Prof. Rhodes was an incredible part of the LLB Programme. He taught Tort Law, served on the UG Assessment Panel, led mooting demonstrations on UG Info Days, and so much more.
We saw him almost daily on the 6th floor of LSK or popping into our administrative office, always fully dedicated to his work. Each time, he greeted us with a warm smile and a friendly “Hi, [colleague name].” Beyond his professional contributions, his genuine spirit and kindness left a lasting impression on all of us.
We are deeply saddened by his passing. He was a truly lovely person and will be greatly missed.”
The LLB Programme Team, CUHK LAW