On 12 May the Aula Magna at UIC Barcelona hosted a graduation ceremony for students from the Faculty of Law. During his speech, Guàrdia i Canela talked about “Freedom and civil rights in Catalonia”.

The patron described the various manifestations of the principle of freedom in historical civil rights and current civil rights in Catalonia. Along the same lines he discussed political freedom and civil freedom; the value of the contra legem custom; the interpretation and incorporation of rules; the maxim “Pacts make laws, pacts break laws”. He also talked about arbitration by judges to resolve differences; freedom via the legal regulation of people’s rights in local law; freedom via the regulation of the financial matrimonial regime and the “mortis causa” freedom of disposition.

At the end of his speech, Guàrdia i Canel specifically addressed students and encouraged them by saying: “I’m sure that you feel and will continue to feel the poetry in the career you have chosen”.

After the patron’s speech and the award of diplomas, student representatives from both the degree and master’s degree programmes gave speeches reflecting their time at UIC Barcelona.

Finally, Javier Junceda, Dean of the Faculty of Law, thanked the authorities present for their participation in the event and congratulated the new graduates.  In his speech the Dean drew from the recommendations that Don Quixote made to Sancho Panza on legal issues, since he finished by saying that “what we would like to leave you with in your final moments here is the teachings of Don Quixote to Sancho Panza: be good people, since this is the right path to becoming good professionals. The opposite is not possible, and you will find this to be true while on your own path very soon.  Be good lawyers and lawyers that are good”.

The event ended with the traditional "Gaudeamus Igitur” song. Family members, friends, the faculty’s teaching staff and members of various civil authorities were all in attendance.