This article discusses the changes in statutes that were necessary to ensure that the duties and responsibilities of the ancient post of proctor at Oxford University were brought into line with the Human Rights Act 1998. As there is no other university with a similarly powerful proctorial system, the changes in legislation may seem to be of only local interest. In fact the process of change led to a reconsideration of the benefits of an independent body to deal with certain aspects of student affairs, and other universities might benefit from the development of such a body.