Adam Tomkins

Professor Tomkins joined the law school in 2003, having previously taught at St Catherine's College, University of Oxford (2000-03) and at King's College London (1991-2000). He specialises in constitutional law and has research interests in British, EU and comparative constitutional law, as well as in aspects of constitutional theory and constitutional history.

In 2009 he was appointed a legal adviser to the House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution. Among his books are two of the best-selling and leading works on British constitutional law: Public Law (OUP, 2003) and British Government and the Constitution (CUP, 6th ed 2006, 7th ed forthcoming 2011). His work has been cited in leading House of Lords case law.

In 2010 he gave expert evidence in a case concerning freedom of information and the constitutional position of the Prince of Wales. His evidence on the sovereignty of Parliament was extensively cited in the House of Commons during the legislative passage of the European Union Bill (2010-11). He has lectured throughout the United Kingdom, as well as in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United States. He was a founding member of the Scottish Public Law Group, and he maintains close connections with public law practitioners at the Faculty of Advocates and at the English bar.

He is interested in all areas of public law, but especially constitutional law. National security and counter-terrorism law. Judicial review and the constitutional role of the courts. Parliament: law-making, scrutiny and accountability. Human rights law. The constitutional and administrative law of the European Union. Aspects of constitutional theory, especially republicanism and political constitutionalism. Aspects of the history of constitutional law, especially UK constitutional law post-1600.