David Lloyd Jones, Lord Lloyd-Jones, is a prominent British judge and legal scholar who currently serves on the Court of Appeal. But before rising to such heights within the UK justice system, Lloyd-Jones pursued his postsecondary education at one of Cambridge University’s most historic colleges.
Quick Facts About David Lloyd Jones
- Born in 1952 in Pontypridd, Wales
- Studied law at Downing College, Cambridge
- Graduated with a BA and LLB, both with first class honors
- Worked as a barrister after graduating
- Appointed a judge in 1999
- Served on the Court of Appeal since 2009
- Made a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary in 2017
- Visiting professor at City University London
- Chair of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee
- Member of the Judicial Appointments Commission
Who is David Lloyd Jones?
David Lloyd Jones is a distinguished British judge and legal expert. He was born in 1952 in Pontypridd, South Wales and later attended Downing College at the University of Cambridge. After graduating with top honors in law, Lloyd-Jones built an illustrious career as a barrister before being appointed to the High Court bench in 1999.
Over the past two decades, Lloyd-Jones has risen through the ranks of the British judiciary. He served as a presiding judge on the Wales and Chester circuit and was later appointed to the Court of Appeal of England and Wales in 2009. In 2017, he was named a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, also known as a Law Lord, upon his appointment to the new UK Supreme Court.
In addition to his judicial service, Lloyd-Jones has served as a visiting law professor at City University London and as Chair of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee. He became a fellow of the British Academy in 2021 in recognition of his eminent contributions to law and legal scholarship.
Where Did David Lloyd Jones Go To College?
David Lloyd Jones pursued his undergraduate legal education at Downing College, University of Cambridge.
Founded in 1800, Downing College is one of the older colleges that make up Cambridge University. The college is named after alumnus Sir George Downing, who graduated in 1641 and later advocated for the establishment of the college in his will.
Lloyd-Jones entered Downing College in 1970 to study law. He graduated in 1973 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree with first-class honors. He remained at Downing to complete a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, again graduating with first-class honors in 1974.
During his time at Downing College, Lloyd-Jones would have lived and studied amongst the college’s storied architecture, including the iconic East Range that dates back to the college’s founding. He likely spent many hours reading in the college’s historic Maitland Library that houses over 70,000 legal volumes.
Downing College provided the foundation for Lloyd-Jones’ future legal career and instilled in him a lifelong love of the law. His double first-class Cambridge education prepared him for the bar exams he would later pass with distinction.
Lloyd-Jones’ Early Legal Career
After graduating from Downing College, Lloyd-Jones was called to the Bar in 1975 when he joined Gray’s Inn. He practiced as a barrister in commercial law and maritime law, developing an expertise in technology and construction disputes.
In 1999, he was appointed as a High Court Judge, receiving the customary appointment as a Knight Bachelor. As a High Court Judge, he served as the Presiding Judge on the Wales and Chester Circuit.
Lloyd-Jones continued to advance in his judicial career throughout the early 2000s. In 2005, he was appointed to the Queen’s Bench Division and served as a judge in the Technology and Construction Court. His skilled handling of complex cases established his reputation as an authority on technology disputes.
Elevation to the Court of Appeal
In October 2009, Lloyd Jones was appointed to the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, also known as the Court of Appeal Civil Division. As a Lord Justice of Appeal, he heard appeals on cases relating to a broad array of civil matters.
He served on the Court of Appeal for eight years before being elevated to the new UK Supreme Court upon its launch in 2017. The Supreme Court assumed the judicial authority of the prior House of Lords to become the court of last resort in the UK.
As a Justice of the Supreme Court, Lloyd-Jones continues to shape British law through his judgments on landmark cases. His expertise and career experience in technology and construction law have proven invaluable on cases related to emerging technologies, such as internet privacy and data protection.
Academic and Advisory Roles
In addition to his illustrious judicial career, Lloyd-Jones has served in a number of academic and advisory capacities. He spent years as a visiting professor of law at City University London, lecturing on advocacy, ethics, and dispute resolution.
Lloyd-Jones lent his expertise to Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service as Chair of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee from 2004 to 2021. In this role, he oversaw reforms and updates to the rules governing criminal court proceedings.
Since 2012, he has also served as a member of the Judicial Appointments Commission which oversees the selection process for judges in England and Wales. His own career trajectory provides invaluable insight that aids the Commission in appointing qualified judges.
Accolades and Recognition
Over his decades of distinguished service, David Lloyd Jones has earned numerous honors and accolades recognizing his judicial and scholarly merit.
- Made a Fellow of the British Academy in 2021
- Awarded Honorary Fellowships by his alma mater Downing College and Gray’s Inn
- Honorary Doctorates in Law from the University of Wales, Swansea University, and the University of Exeter
With an expert legal mind sharpened at Cambridge and honed over decades on the bench, Lord Lloyd-Jones stands today as one of the UK’s most respected authorities on British law. His current post on the Supreme Court represents the pinnacle of his illustrious career and enables his continuing impact on the development of British law and jurisprudence.
Follow Lord Lloyd-Jones on Social Media
As a prominent judge and member of the UK legal community, Lord Lloyd-Jones maintains a public presence across several platforms:
- LinkedIn profile
- Twitter account for sharing legal insights
- Featured in interviews and lectures on YouTube
- Cited in numerous legal articles available on Google Scholar
Connect with him online to keep up with his current work on the Supreme Court and perspectives on the evolution of British law.
FAQs
Where was Lord Lloyd-Jones born?
Lord Lloyd-Jones was born in 1952 in Pontypridd, South Wales.
What did he study at Cambridge University?
At Downing College, Cambridge, he studied law, earning a BA with first-class honors in 1973 and a LLB with first-class honors in 1974.
What was his early legal career?
After Cambridge, he became a barrister in 1975 specializing in commercial and maritime law. He took silk as a Queen’s Counsel in 1993.
When was Lord Lloyd-Jones first appointed as a judge?
He was appointed as a Justice of the High Court in 1999 and served as the Presiding Judge on the Wales and Chester circuit.
How long did he serve on the Court of Appeal?
Lord Lloyd-Jones served on the Court of Appeal Civil Division from 2009 to 2017 before his appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
What is Lord Lloyd-Jones’ current judicial role?
He currently serves as a Justice of the Supreme Court, the highest court in the United Kingdom, having joined the court upon its founding in 2017.
What academic positions has he held?
He worked as a visiting law professor at City University London and served as Chair of the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee from 2004 to 2021.
In his distinguished legal career spanning over four decades, Lord Lloyd-Jones has become one of the UK’s most eminent judges and scholars. His journey began at Downing College, Cambridge where he excelled in his study of law. After working as an expert barrister, his judicial career rapidly ascended from the High Court to the Court of Appeal to now the Supreme Court. Alongside his judicial service, Lloyd-Jones has shared his legal expertise through academic appointments and national advisory roles. With an incisive mind and dedication to the law, Lord Lloyd-Jones continues to administer justice and shape British jurisprudence through his leadership on the UK’s highest court.