His Hon David Tyzack KC

Career as a Barrister

Called to the Bar (Inner Temple, July 1970).

My practice began as general common law, crime, civil and family, but from about 1980 onwards I specialised in Family Law. I concentrated on children and complex money work and later Court of Protection work

I was Head of Chambers from 1985 to 2000 and took silk in 1996 – then QC but now KC. 

I was Chairman of the Family Law Bar Association (Devon and Cornwall Branch) from1994-2000; in this role I helped to organise and participate in many seminars, lectures and debates.

Judicial career

Appointed Recorder 1996, Deputy High Court Judge 1998 and full-time Circuit Judge 2000, retiring in 2014. I was invited to and sat regularly in the Royal Courts of Justice.

In 2004 I was appointed Designated Family Judge (DFJ) for Plymouth and Exeter. In 2008 it was split into two and I remained DFJ for Exeter. In 2009 I was appointed a nominated Judge of the Court of Protection for Devon and Cornwall. 

In 2007 I was appointed a Judicial Governing Bencher of the Inner Temple; for many years I was involved in the marshalling scheme so that students could sit with me on the Bench, gaining invaluable experience of court work and judicial expertise. I am now a Senior Bencher of the Inner Temple.

In 2006 I contributed to the publication of Essential Family Practice, a new textbook on Family Law.

University Career

Before I retired as a judge, I worked on a voluntary basis at the University of Exeter delivering lectures, organising moots and other competitive and social events.

In 2015 I was appointed a lecturer in the Law School and became a Senior Lecturer in 2017. I was involved in 1st year modules teaching Legal Foundations and Criminal Law, and 3rd year modules teaching Family Law and Criminal Evidence. I also taught advocacy and public speaking skills, judging moots and mock trials. I retired from the Law School in 2024.