.jpg)
Doctor of Civil Law (DCL;Latin:Legis Civilis Doctor or Juris Civilis Doctor) is a degree offered by some universities, such as theUniversity of Oxford, instead of the more commonDoctor 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 theDoctor of Divinity which was traditionally the highest degree bestowed by the Universities. The degree ofDoctor of Canon Law was replaced by the DCL afterthe Reformation.The degree of Doctor of Civil Law by Diploma is customarily conferred on foreignHeads of State, as well as on theChancellor of the university.
TheBritish Sovereign is unable to receive university degrees, since these would theoretically place him or her under the jurisdiction of the Chancellor of the university. However, prior to her accession,Queen Elizabeth II of the UK accepted several honorary degrees, including a DCL from Oxford in 1948.[1]
In many universities, the DCL is anhonorary degree. Examples:
 | This article relating to education in the UK is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |