The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis KC - Magna Carta Lecture 2025

The ‘rule of law’ has long been a fundamental principal of good government, a tradition in England which largely stems from the Magna Carta in 1215.

In an era of volatility, in which shifting societal and geopolitical norms and rapid technological advancement seem to challenge the long-accepted values of democratic societies, politicians and critics from all sides frequently appeal to the ‘rule of law’ as justification for their views and actions.

In this Magna Carta Lecture, former Attorney General for England and Wales, The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis KC, explores why adherence to the ‘rule of law’ still matters when the goalposts feel like they are shifting, and how we can grasp this nebulous concept to ensure that democratic societies emerge stronger from a turbulent period.

The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis KC studied a BA in English at Royal Holloway followed by Law at Downing College, Cambridge. She qualified as a barrister and pursued a career in the civil service, during which she was responsible for providing legal advice on military, prisons and national security matters and represented the government in court.

In 2015 Victoria was elected as the Conservative MP for Banbury in Oxfordshire. During her time in Parliament, she served on committees including the Justice Select Committee and Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments and latterly held government positions in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Department for Work and Pensions. In 2022 she was appointed by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as Attorney General, the chief legal adviser to the monarch and to government, a position in which she served until 2024.

Admission is free but booking is essential.