williams was born on 15 february 1911 in bridgend, wales. he obtained a first in law at university college of wales. he was called to the bar and became a member of middle temple in 1935. he was a research fellow from 1936 to 1942 and completed his doctor of philosophy degree in law at st john's college, university of cambridge and was examined by the vinerian professor of english law, university of oxford, sir william searle holdsworth, who was at the time, a fellow of st john's college, oxford. holdsworth famously asked whether it had been submitted for an lld as opposed to a phd, as the quality and rigour of the thesis was so great.