From the courtroom to the community: celebrating notable alumni and honorary graduates of the School of Law and Criminal Justice
From challenging injustice in the courtroom to shaping national policy, leading policing across major regions and championing second chances, the School of Law and Criminal Justice at Edge Hill University has long been connected to people making a real difference in society.
Its alumni and honorary graduates reflect more than professional success. They represent values at the heart of the School: fairness, integrity, public service and the belief that education can open doors, even when those doors have historically been closed.
A legacy of breaking barriers
More than a century ago, Edge Hill helped shape the journey of one of the most influential women in legal history. Helena Normanton attended Edge Hill between 1903 and 1905, at a time when opportunities for women in law were almost non-existent.
She would go on to become one of the first women to be called to the Bar in England and Wales, the first woman to practise as a barrister, and the first woman to lead a prosecution in a murder trial. Later, she became one of the first women ever appointed King’s Counsel.
A lifelong campaigner for women’s rights, Helena Normanton challenged convention at every turn, from campaigning for divorce reform to insisting on retaining her maiden name after marriage. Her legacy lives on at Edge Hill today, with a hall of residence proudly bearing her name, and in the countless women she inspired to follow in her footsteps.
Leadership in modern policing
That same commitment to public service is reflected in the career of Edge Hill alumna Lauren Poultney, now Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police. Lauren studied at Edge Hill between 1992 and 1995, immersing herself fully in campus life. Alongside her studies, she worked as a Residential Student Advisor, supporting first-year students and developing the leadership skills that would later underpin her policing career.
She credits her degree with sharpening her critical thinking, confidence and ability to challenge constructively – skills she drew upon when applying to join the police. Over the past 25 years, Lauren has risen through the ranks, holding specialist roles including Senior Investigating Officer, Firearms Commander and Public Order Commander.
Today, she leads operational policing for a force serving 1.6 million people, overseeing thousands of officers and staff. In addition, she plays a national role shaping best practice across England and Wales through the National Police Chiefs’ Council, demonstrating how an Edge Hill education can lead to influence at the very highest levels.
Shaping justice at the highest level
Honorary graduates of the School include some of the most respected figures in the UK legal system.
In 2024, The Right Honourable Lord Justice Tim Holroyde was awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his exceptional contribution to criminal justice and his long-standing connection to the local community. Formerly Vice-President of the Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, Lord Justice Holroyde spent decades practising on the Northern Circuit before going on to serve at the highest levels of the judiciary. He also played a significant role in shaping sentencing policy nationwide as Chair of the Sentencing Council.
Speaking to Edge Hill graduands, he praised the University’s role in opening up higher education to those for whom it may not once have felt accessible. This resonated strongly with students balancing study alongside work, family and caring responsibilities.
That theme of breaking new ground is also embodied by Baroness Brenda Hale of Richmond, former President of the UK Supreme Court and the first woman ever to hold the role. Awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law by Edge Hill in 2019, Baroness Hale’s career has been defined by historic firsts -from becoming the first woman appointed to the Law Commission, to leading the Supreme Court at a pivotal moment in UK constitutional history.
Her achievements have helped transform the face of the legal profession, opening doors for women who once struggled to see a place for themselves at its highest levels.
Justice beyond the courtroom
The School’s influence also extends beyond traditional legal pathways. Businessman and philanthropist Lord James Timpson OBE received an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration in 2024, recognising his pioneering work in prison reform and social justice.
As Chief Executive of Timpson, James built a business model rooted in trust, kindness and second chances. Under his leadership, more than 600 prison leavers gained employment with the company, which is over ten per cent of its workforce.
Speaking directly to law, criminology and policing students, he highlighted their potential to change lives, reminding them that many people in the justice system “never had a first chance, let alone a second.”
James has since stepped down as Chief Executive to serve as Minister of State for Prisons, Probation and Reducing Reoffending, continuing his commitment to reform at a national level.
Inspiring the next generation
Together, these stories reflect the reach and relevance of the School of Law and Criminal Justice, and the power of education to create leaders who challenge injustice, shape policy and serve their communities.
For today’s students, they offer reassurance that there is no single path to success. Whether standing in court, leading a police force, shaping national reform or transforming lives through ethical leadership, Edge Hill graduates continue to prove that justice, in all its forms, begins with opportunity.
February 20, 2026
