Prof Mark Henaghan. Photo: ODT files

The head of the University of Otago's faculty of law is stepping down as dean in the wake of an outcry over second-year law camps.

However, Professor Mark Henaghan is denying his decision is related to the fallout from complaints about the annual law camps.

A university spokeswoman confirmed this morning Prof Henaghan had stepped aside as dean, but would remain at the university until the end of the year.

He would be replaced by the law faculty's deputy dean, Professor Jessica Palmer.

Prof Henaghan, responding to Otago Daily Times questions with a prepared statement, said his decision was "not related to student law camps''.

The ODT had previously reported he planned to step down as dean at the end of the year, to take up a new professorship at the University of Auckland Law School.

Prof Henaghan, in his statement this morning, said he now felt it was "appropriate to allow a fair and decent amount of time for my successor Professor Jessica Palmer to learn the ropes in this very demanding role and to enable her to lead the strategic planning for next year and into the future''.

His final day as dean was today, but he would remain at the university to support Prof Palmer, and continue his research and lecturing roles, until the end of the year.

"I am very confident Professor Palmer will do a brilliant job as Dean of the wonderful Otago Law Faculty. She has all the necessary qualities to lead the Faculty into a very bright future. I wish her all the best in this new role.

"I will not be making any further media comment at this time.''

His decision to depart came after complaints about some second-year law camps organised by the Society of Otago University Law Students (Souls) at Camp Iona, near Herbert, emerged last month.

Some students said they felt uncomfortable at the camps, amid reports of excessive drinking, stripping and jelly wrestling, and Prof Henaghan was said to have been present as guest at times.

The concerns prompted Souls to cancelled this year's camp, saying the university was not prepared to support it.

Humanities pro-vice chancellor Prof Tony Ballantyne, in a statement at the time, said two complaints had been received last year.

All concerns about the camps were taken seriously and were being examined by the university, he said.

A university spokeswoman, in a statement this afternoon, said the decision to stand down as dean was taken by Prof Henaghan, and faculty staff were informed yesterday.

Inquiries into events at the law camps were ongoing, but further information "may become public at a later date, once inquiries are completed''.

The spokeswoman would not be drawn on the university's view of the camps or Prof Henaghan's presence at them, saying it would not "discuss any issues related to individual staff''.

Prof Ballantyne, in a statement this afternoon, said he wanted to "formally acknowledge'' Prof Henaghan's long service as dean "and the energy he has invested in the role''.

Prof Palmer has not responded to a request for comment.