Doctor of Civil Law (DCL; ) is a degree offered by some universities, such as the University of Oxford, instead of the more common Doctor of Laws (LLD) degrees.
At Oxford, the degree is a higher doctorate usually awarded on the basis of exceptionally insightful and distinctive publications that contain significant and original contributions to the study of law or politics in general. The DCL is senior to all degrees save the Doctor of Divinity which was traditionally the highest degree bestowed by the Universities. The degree of Doctor of Canon Law was replaced by the DCL after the Reformation. The degree of Doctor of Civil Law by Diploma is customarily conferred on foreign Heads of State, as well as on the Chancellor of the university.
The British sovereign cannot receive university degrees, since they would theoretically place them under the jurisdiction of the Chancellor of the university. However, prior to her accession as queen of the UK, Princess Elizabeth accepted several honorary degrees, including a DCL from Oxford in 1948.See 'Honorary Degrees', in Ronald Allison and Sarah Riddell, eds., The Royal Encyclopedia (London; Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1991), p. 264.
In Canada, McGill University offers a Doctor of Civil Law as its research doctorate in law.
In many universities, the DCL is an honorary degree. Examples: Mount Allison University, Canada University of Durham, United Kingdom E.g. / Awarded to Andrew McFarlane, 29 June 2018. It is not one of the higher doctorates capable of being awarded after examination: / Core Regulations for Higher Doctorates University of Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom Honorary Graduates. It is not one of the higher doctorates capable of being awarded after examination: Rules of Procedure for award of Higher Doctorate
See also Doctor of Laws Lambeth degree Michael Faraday
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