Sebastian Lewis

Dr. Sebastian Lewis is a Lecturer in Public Law and Legal Theory at the University of Surrey and Director of Communications, External Engagement, and Strategic Partnerships at the Surrey Centre for Law and Philosophy. He also serves as a Global Associate Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame in England, demonstrating his international academic standing.

His academic credentials include:

• DPhil (Doctorate) in Law from the University of Oxford
• Master of Laws (LLM) from Harvard Law School
• LLB from Universidad de los Andes in Chile, where he is also a qualified lawyer

Dr. Lewis's research spans two primary domains: Jurisprudence and Public Law Theory. In Jurisprudence, his work focuses on the nature of legal sources, legal reasoning, the Rule of Law, and various approaches to non-delegated legal authority. His research in Public Law Theory examines the constitutional role of judges, judicial accountability, judicial duty, judicial powers, and separation of powers. His scholarship consistently engages with the tension between legal positivism and moral considerations in judicial decision-making, particularly regarding equitable powers and stare decisis.

Dr. Lewis has published extensively in top legal journals including the Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, The Modern Law Review, Law and Philosophy, Jurisprudence, Canadian Journal of Law and Jurisprudence, and The Journal of Comparative Law. His recent work has focused on the relationship between precedent and the Rule of Law, equitable powers in judicial decision-making, and the philosophical foundations of legal precedent across common law and civil law systems worldwide. His publications demonstrate a consistent focus on how legal systems can maintain the Rule of Law while allowing necessary evolution in legal interpretation.

His scholarly contributions include significant editorial work, most notably as co-editor of the comprehensive volume "Philosophical Foundations of Precedent" (OUP 2023), which brings together diverse philosophical perspectives on precedent from established scholars and emerging voices.

Dr. Lewis has held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including Oriel College Oxford (where he taught Jurisprudence, Constitutional Law and Administrative Law), King's College London, and the London School of Economics. At the University of Surrey, he serves as Module Convenor for Public Law 1 (Constitutional Law) and acts as PGR Rep for postgraduate research students. He actively supervises work on Jurisprudence and Public Law Theory.