Kathryn O'Sullivan
Biography
Dr Kathryn O' Sullivan is an Associate Professor at the School of Law, University of Limerick, Ireland. Kathryn's primary research interest lies in the laws governing family property and finances. She has published widely in highly respected national and international journals (including Legal Studies, the International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family and the Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law) and has provided expert analysis of legal issues for national media outlets including RTÉ Radio 1 and the Irish Times. In terms of impact, she was invited in 2022 to provide expert evidence to the Women and Equalities Committee of the UK Parliament on the issue of cohabitants rights while her work has also been cited in the British Columbia Court of Appeal in Canada (Venables v Venables [2019] BCCA 291) and by the Law Reform Commission of Ireland. She is the Corresponding Member for Ireland with the Cambridge Family Law Centre at the University of Cambridge and was selected as a Dobbin Atlantic Scholar for 2017/18 by the Ireland Canada University Foundation. Kathryn was recognised with the University of Limerick's 'Excellence in Teaching Award 2018' having twice been shortlisted in 2012 and 2015.Research Interests
Dr O'Sullivan's primary research interests lie in the area of family law, property law and succession law. She has conducted considerable comparative research analysing the various family property schemes which apply in a number of jurisdictions while a relationship subsists, on death and on relationship breakdown. Kathryn has also diversified her research into related family law fields and has investigated the legal protections afforded to minority religions.Finally, Kathryn formed part of a team, led by colleagues in University College Cork, which obtained competitive national funding in 2015 to the value of 25,000 for a focused research project entitled: 'Teaching for Transitions: A Review of Teaching for Transitions related to Teaching and Learning Activity and Research'.
Professional Activities
Award
- 2018 - Dobbin Atlantic Scholar
Association
- Member, International Society of Family Law
- Member, Society of Legal Scholars (UK)
- Member, Socio-Legal Studies Association (UK)
- Member (formerly Executive Member 2013/14), Irish Association of Law Teachers
Peer Reviewed Journals
Reflections on Statutory Cohabitation Law Reform in Ireland
O'Sullivan, K (2024) Reflections on Statutory Cohabitation Law Reform in Ireland. Family Court Review
The 'Dejudicialisation' of Family Law in Europe: Where does Ireland stand?
O'Sullivan, K. (2024) The 'Dejudicialisation' of Family Law in Europe: Where does Ireland stand?. Irish Journal Of Family Law :3-7
(To) Intimacy & Beyond: Rethinking the definition of cohabitant' in Ireland
O'Sullivan, K. (2024) (To) Intimacy & Beyond: Rethinking the definition of cohabitant' in Ireland. Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly
Cohabitant Protection on Relationship Breakdown in Ireland: A Lesson in Illusory Justice?'
O'Sullivan, K (2023) Cohabitant Protection on Relationship Breakdown in Ireland: A Lesson in Illusory Justice?' . International Journal Of Law Policy And The Family
'Child Maintenance Review Group Report: A Critique & Call for Reform'
O'Sullivan, K (2023) 'Child Maintenance Review Group Report: A Critique & Call for Reform'. Irish Journal Of Family Law
Book Review of Brian Tobin: The Legal Reconition of Same-Sex Relationships: Emerging Families in Ireland and Beyond
O'Sullivan, K (2023) Book Review of Brian Tobin: The Legal Reconition of Same-Sex Relationships: Emerging Families in Ireland and Beyond . International Journal Of Law Policy And The Family
Spousal Maintenance Law in Ireland: Past, Present and Future'
O'Sullivan, K (2022) Spousal Maintenance Law in Ireland: Past, Present and Future' . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law :63-83
Child Maintenance Reform in Ireland: Lessons from Abroad'
O'Sullivan, K (2022) Child Maintenance Reform in Ireland: Lessons from Abroad' . Child and Family Law Quarterly :41-60
'Goin' to the Chapel' or are we? Wedding Venues & the Law in Ireland'
O'Sullivan, K (2021) 'Goin' to the Chapel' or are we? Wedding Venues & the Law in Ireland' . Dublin Irish Journal Of Family Law :79-83
Book Review of Alan Brown: What is the Family of Law? The Influence of the Nuclear Family'
O'Sullivan, K (2021) Book Review of Alan Brown: What is the Family of Law? The Influence of the Nuclear Family' . International Journal Of Law Policy And The Family :1-5
Location, Location, Location: The Future of Weddings Law in Ireland and England'
O'Sullivan, K (2021) Location, Location, Location: The Future of Weddings Law in Ireland and England' . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law :307-326
'Religious-Only Marriages & Officiant-Based Marriage Law Reform: An Irish Perspective'
O'Sullivan, K (2019) 'Religious-Only Marriages & Officiant-Based Marriage Law Reform: An Irish Perspective' . Family Law :1156-1160
'Access to Marriage: Consanguinity and Affinity Prohibitions in National and International Context
O'Sullivan, K (2019) 'Access to Marriage: Consanguinity and Affinity Prohibitions in National and International Context. Irish Journal Of Family Law :8-12
Pensions on Divorce in Ireland: Law, Practice & A Way Forward?'
O'Sullivan, K (2019) Pensions on Divorce in Ireland: Law, Practice & A Way Forward?'. Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly :311-329
The Legacy Continues: Ancillary Relief on Divorce in Ireland
O'Sullivan, K (2019) The Legacy Continues: Ancillary Relief on Divorce in Ireland. Journal Of Family Studies :337-350
Posthumously Conceived Children and Succession Law: A View from Ireland
O'Sullivan K. (2019) Posthumously Conceived Children and Succession Law: A View from Ireland. International Journal of Law, Policy & the Family :380-402
La legge sul divorzio in Irlanda: contesto, applicazione e necessità di una riforma'
O'Sullivan, K (2019) La legge sul divorzio in Irlanda: contesto, applicazione e necessità di una riforma' . Rivista Archivio giuridico Filippo Serafini :931-960
Unrecognised Muslim Marriage in Ireland: Incidence and Implications
Leahy S.;O’Sullivan K. (2019) Unrecognised Muslim Marriage in Ireland: Incidence and Implications. Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs
Posthumous Conception and the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017'
O'Sullivan, K (2019) Posthumous Conception and the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017' . Dublin University Law Journal :203-211
Changing Conceptions of Marriage in Ireland: Law and Practice'
Leahy, S and O'Sullivan, K (2018) Changing Conceptions of Marriage in Ireland: Law and Practice' . Child and Family Law Quarterly :279-300
Book Review of Peart et al (eds) Modern Family Finances'
O'Sullivan, K (2018) Book Review of Peart et al (eds) Modern Family Finances' . Child and Family Law Quarterly :205-207
'A Lot Done, More to do?': Local Authority Housing Standards in Ireland
O'Sullivan, K (2018) 'A Lot Done, More to do?': Local Authority Housing Standards in Ireland. Conveyancing And Property Law Journal 2
Distribution of Intestate Estates in Non-Traditional Families A way forward?
O'Sullivan, K (2017) Distribution of Intestate Estates in Non-Traditional Families A way forward?. Common Law World Review :21-41
'Muslim Marriage (Non)Recognition: Implications and Possible Solutions'
O'Sullivan, K; Jackson, L (2017) 'Muslim Marriage (Non)Recognition: Implications and Possible Solutions'. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law
Legislative Comment: Family property division under the Family Law Act 2011
O'Sullivan, K (2017) Legislative Comment: Family property division under the Family Law Act 2011. University of British Columbia Law Review :161-196
Reform of section 117 of the Succession Act 1965: Implications and opportunities for the protection of surviving spouses
O'Sullivan, K (2017) Reform of section 117 of the Succession Act 1965: Implications and opportunities for the protection of surviving spouses. Conveyancing And Property Law Journal 2 :9-14
'Low-flying Drones and Ownership of Airspace in Ireland'
O'Sullivan, K (2016) 'Low-flying Drones and Ownership of Airspace in Ireland' . Conveyancing And Property Law Journal 2 :7-11
'Putting the cart before the horse? The Arbitration and Media Services (Equality) Bill'
Jackson, L; O'Sullivan, K (2016) 'Putting the cart before the horse? The Arbitration and Media Services (Equality) Bill' . Family Law :82-85
'Ancillary Relief and Private Ordering: The vulnerability of financially weaker spouses'
O'Sullivan, K (2016) 'Ancillary Relief and Private Ordering: The vulnerability of financially weaker spouses' . Irish Journal Of Family Law :3-6
'Lessons in family property law reform: The British Columbian experience'
O'Sullivan, K (2016) 'Lessons in family property law reform: The British Columbian experience'. International Family Law :217-
'Til Death do us Part': Surviving Spouses, Civil Partners & Provision on Intestacy in Ireland'
O'Sullivan, K (2016) 'Til Death do us Part': Surviving Spouses, Civil Partners & Provision on Intestacy in Ireland'. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law :118-139
'Rethinking Ancillary Relief on Divorce in Ireland: The Challenges and Opportunities'
O'Sullivan, K (2016) 'Rethinking Ancillary Relief on Divorce in Ireland: The Challenges and Opportunities'. Legal Studies :111-135
The Family Home Protection Act 1976: A case for legislative reform'
O'Sullivan, K (2014) The Family Home Protection Act 1976: A case for legislative reform' . Roundhall Dublin Irish Journal Of Family Law
The Right to Appropriate the Family Home: A proposal for reform'
O'Sullivan, K (2013) The Right to Appropriate the Family Home: A proposal for reform' . Clarus Press Dublin University Law Journal :342-358
'Book Review of Rob George: Ideas and Debates in Family Law'
O'Sullivan, K (2013) 'Book Review of Rob George: Ideas and Debates in Family Law' . Child and Family Law Quarterly :99-104
Protection Against the Unilateral Disposition of the Family Home: An Irish perspective'
O'Sullivan, K (2013) Protection Against the Unilateral Disposition of the Family Home: An Irish perspective' . Oxford International Journal of Law, Policy & the Family :399-428
Spousal Disinheritance Protections under Irish Law: A proposal for reform'
O'Sullivan, K (2012) Spousal Disinheritance Protections under Irish Law: A proposal for reform' . Vathek Common Law World Review :246-280
Books
Religion and the Law in Ireland
O'Sullivan, K (2024) Religion and the Law in Ireland . Netherlands : Kluwer
Annotated Legal Documents on Islam in Europe: Ireland
O'Sullivan, K (2018) Annotated Legal Documents on Islam in Europe: Ireland . Leiden: Netherlands : Brill
Book Chapters
Bespoke Justice and Equitable Redistribution in Ireland: An Optical Illusion'
O'Sullivan, K (2024) Bespoke Justice and Equitable Redistribution in Ireland: An Optical Illusion' . Cheltenham : Edward Elgar Research Handbook on Family Property and the Law
Cohabitation Law in Ireland
O'Sullivan, K (2024) Cohabitation Law in Ireland. Cheltenham : Edward Elgar De Facto Relationships: A Comparative Guide
Family Property Law'
O'Sullivan, K (2023) Family Property Law' . Oxford : Routledge Teaching Family Law: Reflections on Pedagogy and Practice :27-41
Cohabitation Law in Ireland'
O'Sullivan, K (2023) Cohabitation Law in Ireland' . Cambridge : Intersentia The Legal Status of De Facto Relationships
Financial Consequences of Ending Marriage: Court Ordered Proper Provision'
O'Sullivan, K. (2023) Financial Consequences of Ending Marriage: Court Ordered Proper Provision'. Dublin : Clarus Press Irish Family Law in Context :79-100
Irish Maintenance Laws' Direction of Travel & The Likelihood of Reform'
O'Sullivan, K (2022) Irish Maintenance Laws' Direction of Travel & The Likelihood of Reform' . Cambridge : Intersentia Family Matters - Essays in Honour of John Eekelaar :535-549
Recognition of Muslim Marriages Ceremonies in Ireland: An Analysis'
Leahy, S and O'Sullivan, K (2019) Recognition of Muslim Marriages Ceremonies in Ireland: An Analysis' . Leiden: Netherlands : Brill Minority Religions under Irish Law: Islam in National and International Context :108-130
Introduction
O'Sullivan, K (2019) Introduction. Leiden: Netherlands : Brill Minority Religions under Irish Law: Islam in National and International Context :1-4
Edited Books
Minority Religions under Irish Law: Islam in National and International Context
(2019) Minority Religions under Irish Law: Islam in National and International Context . Leiden: Netherlands : Brill
Other Journals
Conference Publications
World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights
OSullivan, K (2017) World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights.
Unregistered Muslim Marriages Regulations and Contestations Symposium
OSullivan, K; Leahy S (2017) Unregistered Muslim Marriages Regulations and Contestations Symposium.
Unregistered Muslim Marriages: Regulations and Contestations, De Montfort University, Leicester
Leahy, S and O'Sullivan, K (2017) Unregistered Muslim Marriages: Regulations and Contestations, De Montfort University, Leicester.
IV Congresso Internacional de Direito de Personalidade, UniCesumar, Maringá, Brazil
O'Sullivan, K (2017) IV Congresso Internacional de Direito de Personalidade, UniCesumar, Maringá, Brazil .
Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, University College Dublin, Ireland
O'Sullivan, K (2017) Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, University College Dublin, Ireland .
Minority Religions under Irish Law Symposium, University of Limerick, Ireland
O'Sullivan K; Leahy S (2017) Minority Religions under Irish Law Symposium, University of Limerick, Ireland .
International Society of Family Law World Conference
OSullivan, K (2017) International Society of Family Law World Conference .
Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference
O'Sullivan, K; Leahy, S (2016) Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference.
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
O'Sullivan, K (2016) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference.
Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference, Waterford, Ireland
O'Sullivan, K; Leahy, S (2016) Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference, Waterford, Ireland .
National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning
Higgs, B; Kilcommins, S; et al (2015) National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning.
Drones: Coming to a Sky near you
O'Sullivan, K (2015) Drones: Coming to a Sky near you.
Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science Annual Teaching Day
Kathryn O'Sullivan (2015) Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science Annual Teaching Day.
Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference
Kathryn O'Sullivan (2015) Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference.
Legal Pedagogy in Transition Seminar
Kathryn O'Sullivan (2015) Legal Pedagogy in Transition Seminar.
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
O'Sullivan, K; Jackson, L (2015) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference.
Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference
Kathryn O'Sullivan (2014) Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference.
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
Kathryn O'Sullivan (2014) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference.
Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference
Kathryn O'Sullivan (2013) Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference.
Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
Kathryn O'Sullivan (2013) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference.
Conference Contributions
5th Roundtable on Non-Marriage and the Law
O'Sullivan, K (2023) 5th Roundtable on Non-Marriage and the Law.
Cohabitation Reform in England and Wales Conference
O'Sullivan, K (2023) Cohabitation Reform in England and Wales Conference.
Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Network Workshop on Cohabitation
O'Sullivan, K (2023) Royal Society of Edinburgh Research Network Workshop on Cohabitation.
Extra-Judicial Administration of Justice in Cross-Border Family and Succession Matters workshop
O'Sullivan, K (2023) Extra-Judicial Administration of Justice in Cross-Border Family and Succession Matters workshop.
Published Reports
'Teaching for Transitions: A Review of Teaching for Transitions related to Teaching and Learning Activity and Research'
Higgs, B, Kilcommins, S, O'Sullivan, K et al (2015) 'Teaching for Transitions: A Review of Teaching for Transitions related to Teaching and Learning Activity and Research'. Dublin, Ireland : National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning/UCC
Editorials
Book Reviews
Book Review of Alan Brown: What is the Family of Law? The Influence of the Nuclear Family'
O'Sullivan, K (2021) Book Review of Alan Brown: What is the Family of Law? The Influence of the Nuclear Family' .
'Book Review of Law and Policy in Modern Family Finance: Property Division in the 21st Century'
O'Sullivan, K (2018) 'Book Review of Law and Policy in Modern Family Finance: Property Division in the 21st Century'. Child and Family Law Quarterly
Other Publications
Book Review of Alan Brown: What is the Family of Law? The Influence of the Nuclear Family'
O'Sullivan, K (2021) Book Review of Alan Brown: What is the Family of Law? The Influence of the Nuclear Family' .
'Book Review of Law and Policy in Modern Family Finance: Property Division in the 21st Century'
O'Sullivan, K (2018) 'Book Review of Law and Policy in Modern Family Finance: Property Division in the 21st Century'. Child and Family Law Quarterly
What is the legality of children conceived posthumously?'
OSullivan, K (2017) What is the legality of children conceived posthumously?' . Cork, Ireland Irish Examiner
Submission to Law Reform Commission of Ireland: Section 117 Review
O'Sullivan, Kathryn (2017) Submission to Law Reform Commission of Ireland: Section 117 Review.
'Intestacy, wills and surviving spouses: The need for reform'
O'Sullivan, K (2017) 'Intestacy, wills and surviving spouses: The need for reform'. Ageing Matters (Age Action Ireland)
'Law must be updated to protect vulnerable surviving spouses'
O'Sullivan, K. (2015) 'Law must be updated to protect vulnerable surviving spouses'.
'Property owners and drone users vie for rights to the sky'
O'Sullivan, K. (2015) 'Property owners and drone users vie for rights to the sky'. Dublin, Ireland Irish Times
'A Critique of the Legal Protections afforded to the Matrimonial Home Ireland and British Columbia Compared'
O'Sullivan, K (2015) 'A Critique of the Legal Protections afforded to the Matrimonial Home Ireland and British Columbia Compared'. University of Victoria Law School, Canada
How can the Cayman Islands approach solve the Muslim Marriage Conundrum in England and Wales'
O'Sullivan, K; Jackson, L (2015) How can the Cayman Islands approach solve the Muslim Marriage Conundrum in England and Wales' . Truman Bodden Law School of the Cayman Islands
Succession Law in Ireland'
O'Sullivan, K (2015) Succession Law in Ireland' . Community Law Programme, University of Limerick
'Matrimonial Property, Needs and Agreements - A submission'
O'Sullivan, K (2014) 'Matrimonial Property, Needs and Agreements - A submission' .
Death, Divorce and Matrimonial Property under Irish Law'
O'Sullivan, K (2012) Death, Divorce and Matrimonial Property under Irish Law' . De Montfort University, Leicester, England Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
Deferred Community of Property: Why the reluctance for reform?'
O'Sullivan, K (2012) Deferred Community of Property: Why the reluctance for reform?'. University of Bristol, England Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference
The Legal Right Share and the Surviving Spouse: A proposal for reform'
O'Sullivan, K (2011) The Legal Right Share and the Surviving Spouse: A proposal for reform'. Athlone, Ireland Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference
The Family Home Protection Act 1976 An irrelevant statute in the Ireland of 2010?'
O'Sullivan, K (2010) The Family Home Protection Act 1976 An irrelevant statute in the Ireland of 2010?'. University of Aberdeen, Scotland Moving Forward Conference