Professor Maurice Sunkin, School of Law

University of Essex lawyer Professor Maurice Sunkin has been appointed legal adviser to the House of Lords committee responsible for scrutinising constitutional matters.

Professor Sunkin will advise members of the House of Lords Committee on the Constitution, which examines the constitutional implications of Government bills.

The Committee’s members include former Lord Chancellor Lord Irvine of Lairg, who helped introduce the Human Rights Act, and Lord Goldsmith, Attorney General under Tony Blair, as well as other senior lawyers and Peers who have served as Government ministers. The Committee plays a key role in analysing legislation, including bills that have significant constitutional implications such as the recent changes to succession to the British monarchy.

Professor Sunkin, whose recent research has explored the implications of Government plans to reform judicial review, replaces Professor Richard Rawlings, Professor of Public Law at University College London, as one of two legal advisers to the Committee.

Professor Sunkin, who will hold the post for the forthcoming parliamentary session, said: “To be involved in the work of Parliament, at the very centre of the constitution provides a very exciting opportunity and is a reflection of Essex’s reputation in public law and as a leader in applying the theory of law to the practice of law.

“The House of Lords Committee on the Constitution is important to the process of scrutinising government and I am looking forward to the challenges of working on some of the most important and difficult constitutional issues.”

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