27 Jul 07

Professor Timothy Endicott, Professor of Legal Philosophy at the University of Oxford, has been appointed as the first Dean of the Faculty of Law at Oxford. The appointment will come into effect on 1 October 2007.

A Canadian who graduated from Harvard College with the AB in Classics and English, summa cum laude, Professor Endicott came to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, and completed the MPhil in Comparative Philology. After studying law at the University of Toronto, he practised in litigation at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt in Toronto for three years, before returning to Oxford for the DPhil in Legal Philosophy. Professor Endicott has taught in Oxford since 1994. He has taught at Jesus College, St. Anne's College, and St. Catherine's College, and has been the senior Law Fellow at Balliol College since 1999. He became Professor of Legal Philosophy in 2006. Professor Endicott has served the Faculty of Law as Chair of the Law Board (2006-7) and as Director of Graduate Studies (2004-2006).

The new position of Dean of Oxford Law has been created to help the Faculty sustain and build on its strengths, both nationally and internationally. Oxford Law is ranked as the best in the UK, according to the Guardian's 2008 university guide. The Times Higher Education Supplement placed Oxford at the top of the world rankings for social sciences in an analysis of institutions in 2007.

Commenting on his appointment as the first Dean of Oxford Law, Professor Endicott said: 'This role will be a huge challenge and a tremendous opportunity. The new Deanship represents a new path for the Faculty and it reflects the dynamic attitude of my colleagues and the University. Oxford is a law school for the whole world. In providing the finest possible legal training we are committed to serving our students, the legal profession, and this country. And not only that: we have academics from over 20 countries, and first-rate graduate students from over 60, and our work is a service to their communities, too. We expect the very best of our students, our scholars, and our University, and we mean to build on the unique strengths of Oxford Law.'

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Dr John Hood, said: 'Professor Timothy Endicott is an academic lawyer of great distinction and has also established himself as a respected, innovative administrator within the University and beyond. He will be a very effective ambassador for the Faculty and the University and I look forward to working with him in the years ahead.'