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University �鶹��ѡ legal expert Professor Lisa Webley has been appointed as the Law Commissioner for Property, Family and Trusts Law.

A specialist in the regulation and professionalism of the legal profession and access to justice initiatives, Professor Webley will play an important role in the development of the law in England and Wales – part of the Law Commission’s team of five commissioners, including its Chair who is a Court of Appeal judge.

Law Commissioners lead projects in areas where law reform is needed, working collectively with their team of expert lawyers and researchers to develop publicly available reports. As well as consulting the public and other stakeholders, they work with Government ministers, senior officials and Parliamentary Counsel to explore legal reform and support the drafting of law.

Professor Webley commented: “The Law Commission has a 60-year history of high-quality evidence-based law reform. University �鶹��ѡ researchers have contributed to this through their research, and the Law School has also supported consultations by hosting stakeholder meetings on campus.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring areas in need of law reform as an academic legal researcher and with our students as a law teacher. I very much look forward to putting this into practice as the Law Commissioner for Property, Family and Trust Law.”

Professor Webley has been Chair of Legal Education and Research at Birmingham Law School since 2018. She is also an alumna of the University �鶹��ѡ and previously headed up Birmingham Law School.

Professor Helen Abbott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of College of Arts and Law commented:

“Professor Webley’s appointment to the Law Commission marks a significant moment for law reform. The University �鶹��ѡ’s long-standing commitment to transformational legal work is exemplified in Professor Webley’s expertise. Her work on the legal profession and on access to justice will be particularly instrumental in shaping how law is drafted.”

Law Commissioners participate in peer review exercises with their fellow commissioners and the Chair to agree key policy issues that come out of each project. Each commissioner works closely with a team manager - a senior lawyer managing the lawyers and research assistants who make up the teams working on each project. Commissioners are closely involved in leading these talented lawyers, providing ongoing direction and support for them in a collegiate culture.

Professor Warren Barr, Dean �鶹��ѡ Law School commented: “Birmingham Law School has been leading the way in legal education and research for almost a century. Professor Webley joins a Commissioner team which also includes BLS alumna Professor Alison Young, demonstrating our Law School’s enduring impact on law, law reform, and the legal profession.”

Professor Adam Tickell, Vice Chancellor, University �鶹��ѡ commented: “As the University celebrates its 125^th anniversary year, it is a particularly fitting moment to see Professor Webley appointed to the Law Commission. Birmingham was founded to support its city and its people, with a promise to promote education and opportunity. Professor Webley’s service to the University and, now, to the Law Commission is a true beacon of how we translate our research and education into policy with real-world benefits.”