Dr. Ruth Deech

Biography

Ruth Deech is a prominent figure in the field of law with extensive experience in higher education and legal regulation. She served as the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education from 2004 to 2008 and was the Principal of St. Anne's College at the University of Oxford from 1991 to 2004. With a specialization in Family and Property Law, Deech has held various influential positions, including Chairman of the UK Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority from 1994 to 2002, where she was instrumental in establishing legislation to address ethical questions arising from advances in reproductive medicine. She has contributed significantly to legal education as a Fellow Tutor in Law at St. Anne's College and has been actively involved with various legal organizations, including the Bar Standards Board, which she chaired from 2009 to 2014. Her roles have extended beyond academia; she was a governor of the BBC from 2002 to 2006 and has been on numerous committees including the Inquiry into Equal Opportunities for the Bar Vocational Course. In 2023, she was appointed Chair of the House of Lords Appointment Commission. Ruth Deech's academic contributions are recognized through her membership on editorial boards and as an honorary fellow at legal societies.

Research Interests