Associate Professor Ruth Sutton
Head of School
Biography
Head of the School of Law and Social Justice Ruth leads the School of Law and Social Justice, overseeing Chester Law School and the Institute of Policing. Under her leadership, Chester Law School is home to the award-winning University of Chester Pro Bono initiatives, the Chester Community Law Project, and the University of Chester Law Clinic. With over 25 years of experience in academic leadership, Ruth has managed and led law schools and programmes across various higher education institutions, both large and small. Her extensive background spans academic and professional education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Ruth’s career began 35 years ago in student support at further education colleges, giving her a comprehensive understanding of academic life. Ruth is a barrister in England and a legal practitioner in Australia, having practiced on the Northern Circuit for eight years before transitioning to academia full-time. Her dual expertise as a legal practitioner and academic, supported by advanced degrees in Legal Education and Professional Studies in Education, makes her an authority in Legal Pracademia. She specialises in Family and Criminal Law, with a particular focus on Domestic Abuse. A Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Ruth is on the path to becoming a Principal Fellow. She holds numerous qualifications in Leadership and Management. Ruth is dedicated to improving outcomes for all student groups. She was recognised by the Purpose Coalition Power List 2024 as one of ‘140 remarkable individuals’ driving positive change through innovation, community impact, and purposeful leadership. Nationally, she works with thr Purpos Coalition on initiatives like ‘Breaking Down Barriers to Law’ and collaborates with the Solicitors Regulation Authority to address awarding gaps in professional legal assessments. As an Executive member of the national Committee for Heads of University Law Schools, Ruth chairs the ‘Events’ sub-committee, organising CPD events for law school leaders nationwide. Her notable events include a year-long series of workshops on Pracademia and Law Academics, day events on ‘Transforming Outcomes in Legal Education,’ and evening seminars on topics such as AI and Legal Education. Ruth also serves as a trustee of The Believe Foundation.
Teaching and Supervision
Ruth's main current teaching areas relate to Family and Child Law (including Domestic Abuse), Property Law, and Criminal Law. She has variously taught across many areas in her career at both undergraduate and postgraduate professional law level, including in addition to the above, Criminal Litigation, Evidence, Advocacy, Dispute Resolution and Legal Professional Ethics. Ruth brings an extensive background of both the practise of Law and Education to the role, having been involved in leading legal cases in her time as a practising barrister, and wealth of experience in higher education roles.
Research and Knowledge Exchange
Legal Education Higher Education Social Mobility Family and Child Law Criminal Law