Biography

Dr Kathryn O' Sullivan is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Law, University of Limerick, Ireland. Kathryn's primary research interests lie in family law and property law. 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. She is particularly interested in the theoretical basis for the division of assets on relationship breakdown and the challenges faced by succession law as a result of the changes in family structures in recent decades.

Kathryn has also diversified her research into related family law fields and has investigated the legal protections afforded to minority religions, particularly the Muslim community.

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

2022

‘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

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2022

‘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

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2021

‘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

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2021

‘'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

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2019

‘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

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2019

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

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2019

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

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2019

‘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

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2019

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

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2019

‘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

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2019

'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

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2019

'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

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2018

'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

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2018

‘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

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2017

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

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2017

'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

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2017

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

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2017

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

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2016

'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-

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2016

‘'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

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2016

'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

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2016

'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

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2016

'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

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2016

'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

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2014

‘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

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2013

‘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

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2013

‘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

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2012

‘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

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Books

2021

Religion and the Law in Ireland

O'Sullivan, K (2021) Religion and the Law in Ireland . Netherlands : Kluwer

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2018

Annotated Legal Documents on Islam in Europe: Ireland

O'Sullivan, K (2018) Annotated Legal Documents on Islam in Europe: Ireland . Leiden: Netherlands : Brill

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Book Chapters

2023

‘Cohabitation Law in Ireland'

O'Sullivan, K (2023) ‘Cohabitation Law in Ireland' . Cambridge : Intersentia The Legal Status of De Facto Relationships

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2022

‘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

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2019

‘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

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2019

Introduction

O'Sullivan, K (2019) Introduction. Leiden: Netherlands : Brill Minority Religions under Irish Law: Islam in National and International Context :1-4

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Edited Books

2019

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

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Other Journals

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Conference Publications

2017

IV Congresso Internacional de Direito de Personalidade, UniCesumar, Maringá, Brazil

O'Sullivan, K (2017) IV Congresso Internacional de Direito de Personalidade, UniCesumar, Maringá, Brazil .

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2017

Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, University College Dublin, Ireland

O'Sullivan, K (2017) Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, University College Dublin, Ireland .

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2017

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 .

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2017

International Society of Family Law World Conference

OSullivan, K (2017) International Society of Family Law World Conference .

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2017

World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights

OSullivan, K (2017) World Congress on Family Law and Children's Rights.

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2017

Unregistered Muslim Marriages – Regulations and Contestations Symposium

OSullivan, K; Leahy S (2017) Unregistered Muslim Marriages – Regulations and Contestations Symposium.

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2017

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.

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2016

Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference

O'Sullivan, K (2016) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference.

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2016

Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference, Waterford, Ireland

O'Sullivan, K; Leahy, S (2016) Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference, Waterford, Ireland .

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2016

Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference

O'Sullivan, K; Leahy, S (2016) Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference.

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2015

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.

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2015

Drones: Coming to a Sky near you

O'Sullivan, K (2015) Drones: Coming to a Sky near you.

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2015

Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science Annual Teaching Day

Kathryn O'Sullivan (2015) Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science Annual Teaching Day.

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2015

Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference

Kathryn O'Sullivan (2015) Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference.

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2015

Legal Pedagogy in Transition Seminar

Kathryn O'Sullivan (2015) Legal Pedagogy in Transition Seminar.

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2015

Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference

O'Sullivan, K; Jackson, L (2015) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference.

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2014

Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference

Kathryn O'Sullivan (2014) Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference.

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2014

Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference

Kathryn O'Sullivan (2014) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference.

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2013

Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference

Kathryn O'Sullivan (2013) Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference.

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2013

Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference

Kathryn O'Sullivan (2013) Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference.

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Conference Contributions

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Published Reports

2015

'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

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Editorials

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Book Reviews

2021

‘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' .

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2018

'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

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2013

'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' .

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Other Publications

2021

‘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' .

Read more
2018

'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

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2017

‘What is the legality of children conceived posthumously?'

OSullivan, K (2017) ‘What is the legality of children conceived posthumously?' . Cork, Ireland Irish Examiner

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2017

Submission to Law Reform Commission of Ireland: Section 117 Review

O'Sullivan, Kathryn (2017) Submission to Law Reform Commission of Ireland: Section 117 Review.

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2017

'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)

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2015

'Law must be updated to protect vulnerable surviving spouses'

O'Sullivan, K. (2015) 'Law must be updated to protect vulnerable surviving spouses'.

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2015

'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

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2015

'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

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2015

‘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

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2015

‘Succession Law in Ireland'

O'Sullivan, K (2015) ‘Succession Law in Ireland' . Community Law Programme, University of Limerick

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2014

'Matrimonial Property, Needs and Agreements - A submission'

O'Sullivan, K (2014) 'Matrimonial Property, Needs and Agreements - A submission' .

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2013

'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' .

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2012

‘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

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2012

‘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

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2011

‘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

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2010

‘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

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