Rugby Football Union appoints former Cardiff student as Head of Judiciary

A Cardiff Law alumnus has been appointed as the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) independent Head of Rugby Judiciary.

Philip Evans QC, who graduated from the School of Law and Politics in 1993, has been a member of the RFU’s independent judiciary since 2009, sitting as chairman on panels both at first instance and at appeal level.

During this time he has given judgements in several high profile rugby matters and acted as Judicial Officer for European Professional Club Rugby and World Rugby.

The post of independent Head of Rugby Judiciary was created in 2013 to ensure independence between the prosecutorial and judicial functions of the RFU's Legal and Governance department. Philip will begin his three year tenure on 1 August 2017 in the role vacated by Sir James Dingemans.

After graduating from the School, Philip was called to the Bar in 1995. A member of both the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers and the British Association for Sport and Law, Philip has extensive experience of regulatory and disciplinary law particularly in a sporting context. He also has expertise in serious and complex crime and regulation and was made Queen’s Counsel in 2016.

Despite his busy career, Philip remains a true friend to the School and works regularly with our innocence project advising on the progress of cases and is soon to appear in the Court of Appeal on behalf of a client. He has also delivered careers talks and advocacy training for those interested in the Bar.

Professor Julie Price who works with Philip on Pro Bono cases said of his appointment, “The School is thrilled to hear of Philip’s new role at the RFU. It is clear that his professional experience and enthusiasm for the sport will benefit the organisation hugely. We are very honoured to benefit from Philip’s expertise at the School over many years but we are also very proud that this is where his legal career and training began.”

On his appointment Philip added: "I’m honoured and privileged to have been selected as the next head of the independent RFU judiciary. Discipline has a vital role within the game and I look forward to overseeing and continuing to develop the system, whilst working to uphold rugby’s core values."