2020 Events

UCL Judicial Institute annual lecture: ‘The Lord Chief Justice on Sentencing: The Judge's Role’

This online lecture was delivered by the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Lord Burnett of Maldon and has been covered in various media.

Wednesday 9 December

On Wednesday 9 December, the UCL Judicial Institute hosted a 2020 lecture on ‘Sentencing: The Judge's Role’ to a virtual audience of over 400 attendees.

The lecture was delivered by The Right Honourable The Lord Burnett of Maldon, and chaired by Professor David Ormerod QC (Co-Director of the UCL Judicial Institute and Chair in Criminal Law at UCL Laws).

The lecture has been covered in numerous media, including The Telegraph (‘'Lenient sentencing a myth', says Lord Chief Justice despite ministers pledging crackdown’). The article discusses Lord Burnett’s comments on how the rise of 'lenient sentencing' is a myth and that sentencing levels have increased in recent decades.

You can watch a recording of the lecture below.

A Judge's Journey

An online event with Lord Dyson in conversation with David Ormerod QC

Monday 2 November

Lord Dyson in conversation with Professor David Ormerod QC (Hon)

About this event

Following the publication in 2019 of his widely acclaimed memoir, A Judge’s Journey, Lord Dyson discusses his career as a barrister, and as one of the most senior judges – having served as Master of the Rolls and a Justice of the Supreme Court. He reflects on the significant changes to the legal system over the last 50 years and the changing nature of the judicial role in society. He offers more personal insights into his childhood in Leeds, and the many influences, including his Jewish heritage, on his life and career.

About The Rt Hon Lord Dyson

Lord Dyson was Master of the Rolls (President of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales and Head of Civil Justice) for four years until he retired in October 2016. He was a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom from April 2010 until October 2012. He was a Lord Justice of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales from 2001 until 2010 (and Deputy Head of Civil Justice from 2003 until 2006). He was a Judge of the High Court of England and Wales from 1993 until 2001, and the Judge in charge of the Technology and Construction Court from 1998 until 2001. He was a Recorder from 1986 until 1993.

Lord Dyson was called to the Bar by the Middle Temple in 1968 and was awarded a Harmsworth Scholarship. He was Treasurer of the Inn in 2017. From 1968, he practised in Keating Chambers and was appointed QC in 1982. In 1986 he accepted an invitation by 39 Essex Chambers to become Head of Chambers, a position he held until 1993 when he was appointed to the High Court.

In his long judicial career, he decided many cases across the whole range of civil law, including contract, construction and commercial law, general common law, international law, and public and human rights law. Many of his judgments are reported in the Law Reports and are frequently cited as precedents throughout the common law world.

At the Bar, whilst at Keating Chambers, he practised mainly (but not exclusively) in the field of construction law. At 39 Essex Chambers, he had a more diversified practice, including in the field of general common law, commercial law and sports law. He acted in many high profile cases. He also appeared as counsel in many arbitrations and was appointed as arbitrator on various occasions.

Since retiring from the Bench he has been accepting appointments as an arbitrator and mediator in both domestic and international arbitrations; chairing inquiries and giving expert advice on legal matters.