Oxford names Wim Decock Regius Professor of Civil Law
The King has approved the appointment of Professor Wim Decock as Regius Professor of Civil Law at the University of Oxford, succeeding Professor Wolfgang Ernst. Number 10 confirmed the decision on 22 January 2026, noting Decock’s expertise in Roman law, legal history and comparative law. UK Government announcements of senior Regius appointments come from the Prime Minister’s Office. (gov.uk)
Quick explainer: a Regius Professorship is a university chair that carries royal approval. The Royal Family describes the title as a rare honour that recognises exceptional teaching and research. Today, the monarch still formally appoints the professor after a competitive university process, which is why these chairs are seen as nationally significant posts. (royal.uk)
Oxford’s Regius Chair of Civil Law dates to the 1540s under Henry VIII and is among the oldest professorships in the University. Past holders include Alberico Gentili, a pioneering scholar of international law who served from 1587 to 1608. Knowing this timeline helps you see how Roman law has anchored Oxford’s legal scholarship for centuries. (en.wikipedia.org)
If you’re studying law at Oxford now-or planning to apply-this matters directly to your syllabus. Roman law has been taught in Oxford since the 12th century and remains central: first‑year undergraduates must take A Roman Introduction to Private Law, reading Gaius and Justinian in translation. That foundation shapes later options and postgraduate study. (law.ox.ac.uk)
Who is Professor Decock? He teaches Roman law, legal history and comparative law at UCLouvain and also teaches part‑time at the University of Liège. He previously worked with the Max Planck Institute for Legal History and Legal Theory and has co‑founded the Louvain Lab for Law, History and Society, which launched in 2024. The UK Government note adds that he co‑directs the International School of Ius Commune in Erice. (uclouvain.be)
His research has been widely recognised. Highlights include the Heinz Maier‑Leibnitz Prize (2014) from the German Research Foundation, the Michael Novak Award (2017), the VWS Prize associated with the Royal Flemish Academy (2020) and the Max Planck‑Humboldt Medal (2022). He was elected an associate member of the Royal Academy of Overseas Sciences in 2021. These awards signal international standing in Roman law and its early modern reception. (kaowarsom.be)
What this means for your learning: Decock’s specialism sits right where Oxford’s teaching meets legal history and private law. Advanced options such as Roman Law (Delict) and Civilian Foundations of Contract Law are available in the Final Honour School and in postgraduate programmes like the BCL and MJur. Expect that tradition to remain strong under the new Regius. (law.ox.ac.uk)
How these appointments work: the university runs an open competition and forwards the successful candidate for formal approval. The recommendation goes through the Cabinet Office and Prime Minister before the monarch issues the Royal Warrant-hence today’s Number 10 announcement. Understanding this process helps you read such news with institutional context. (en.wikipedia.org)
This is also a moment of continuity. Professor Wolfgang Ernst, appointed in 2015, is a leading Roman law scholar whose tenure sustained Oxford’s global reputation in the field. Decock’s appointment continues that international tradition in civil law scholarship at Oxford. (gov.uk)
What to watch next: Oxford flagged the post to begin on 1 October 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter, so look out for a formal start date and an inaugural lecture announcement from the Faculty of Law. For current students, the core Roman law course carries on-now with a new Regius to shape seminars, reading lists and research supervision. (data.ox.ac.uk)