Academic posts

Since 2013, I am the Professor of Constitutional Justice at the University of Essex. Prior to this, I was at UCL (1988–2000), the Barber Chair of Jurisprudence at the University of Birmingham (2001–2006), and Professor of Public Law at Queen Mary, University of London (2006–2013).

Leadership roles

At Essex, I served as Executive Dean for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and on the University senior leadership group 2017-2023. In my discipline area, I was president of the UK Constitutional Law Association (2010-15) and served for eight years on the executive committee of the International Association of Constitutional Law until 2018. I was general editor of the journal Public Law (2002-2011). Outside the UK, I led the establishment of Jersey’s first law school as the founding director of studies at the Institute of Law (2009-13).

I was president of the UK Constitutional Law Association (2010-15) and served for eight years on the executive committee of the International Association of Constitutional Law until 2018. Between 2002-2011, I was general editor of the journal Public Law and remain a member of its advisory board. I was awarded Principal Fellowship of the HEA in 2024.

Law reform

I actively contribute to practical law reform as member of the Jersey Law Commission 2013-18 and 2021-26. I’m currently leading projects on improving how people’s grievances against public authorities are handled and evaluating the Human Rights (Jersey) Law 2000.

Consultancy

Beyond academia, I have extensive experience advising parliamentary committees, including 3½ years as legal adviser to the House of Lords Constitution Committee. I have advised governments and public bodies on a wide range of constitutional and administrative law issues.

Networks

I am a non-practising Barrister and a bencher of Middle Temple. I am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.