Professor Nicola Padfield

Emeritus Professor of Criminal and Penal Justice, University of Cambridge

Biography

I have taught at the Law Faculty, and the Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge for more than 35 years. A barrister by training, I have published widely on criminal law, sentencing and criminal justice. My books include The Philosophy of Criminal Law: an Introduction (with Christopher Cowley, 2024); The Criminal Justice Process: Text and Materials (5th edit, with Jonathan Bild, 2016); Criminal Law (10th edit, 2016); Beyond the Tariff: Human rights and the release of the life sentence prisoners (2002). I have also authored very many articles and chapters in books. I sat as a Recorder (part-time Judge) in the Crown Court for many years, and am a Bencher of the Middle Temple. I was the Master of Fitzwilliam College from 2013 to 2019.