Kathryn O'Sullivan


 
researcher

Biography

Dr Kathryn O’ Sullivan is a Lecturer of Law at the School of Law, University of Limerick, Ireland. Kathryn’s primary research interests lie in family property law and succession law, however, she has also recently undertaken research on law and religion in 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. 

She has published widely in highly respected national and international journals (including Legal Studies, the Journal of Family Studies and the International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family) and has provided expert analysis of legal issues for national media outlets in Ireland including RTÉ Radio 1 and the Irish Times. Her work has been cited in the British Columbia Court of Appeal in Canada (Venables v Venables [2019] BCCA 291).

 Kathryn was recognised with the University of Limerick's 'Excellence in Teaching Award 2018' having twice been shortlisted in 2012 and 2015. She is the Director of International Education at the School of Law and Course Director for the LLM Master of Laws (General) – the GradIreland Postgraduate Course of the Year in Law for 2018.

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'.



Books

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

Book Chapters

  Year Publication
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’' In: O'Sullivan, K (eds). Minority Religions under Irish Law: Islam in National and International Context. Leiden: Netherlands: Brill. [DOI] [Details]
2019 'Introduction'
O'Sullivan, K (2019) 'Introduction' In: O'Sullivan, K (eds). Minority Religions under Irish Law: Islam in National and International Context. Leiden: Netherlands: Brill. [DOI] [Details]
2018 'A Evolução do Direito de Família na Irlanda: Um estudo de caso'
O'Sulivan, K (2018) 'A Evolução do Direito de Família na Irlanda: Um estudo de caso' In: IV Congresso Internacional de Direito de Personalidade. Brazil: UniCesumar. [Details]

Edited Books

  Year Publication
2019 Minority Religions under Irish Law: Islam in National and International Context
O'Sullivan, K (Ed.). (2019) Minority Religions under Irish Law: Islam in National and International Context Leiden: Netherlands: Brill. [Details]

Peer Reviewed Journals

  Year Publication
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 And The Family, 33 (3) [Details]
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, [Details]
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, 25 (3):337-350 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, [Details]
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, 30 (3):279-300 [Details]
2018 '‘La legge sul divorzio in Irlanda: contesto, applicazione e necessità di una riforma’'
O'Sullivan, K (2018) '‘La legge sul divorzio in Irlanda: contesto, applicazione e necessità di una riforma’'. Famiglia e Diritto, [Details]
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, 23 (1) [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, 50 (1):161-196 [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, 22 (1):9-14 [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, 46 (1):21-41 [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, 36 (1):111-135 [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, (3) [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, 38 (2):118-139 [ULIR Link] [Details]
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 [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, 19 (1):3-6 [ULIR Link] [Details]
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, 21 (1):7-11 [ULIR Link] [Details]
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’'. International Journal of Law, Policy & the Family, 27 (3):399-428 [DOI] [ULIR Link] [Details]
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’'. Dublin University Law Journal, 36 :342-358 [ULIR Link] [Details]
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’'. Common Law World Review, 41 (3):246-280 [ULIR Link] [Details]
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’'. Irish Journal Of Family Law, [ULIR Link] [Details]

Conference Publications

  Year Publication
2017 Minority Religions under Irish Law Symposium, University of Limerick, Ireland
O'Sullivan K; Leahy S (2017) ‘Recognition of Muslim Marriages Ceremonies in Ireland: An Analysis’ Minority Religions under Irish Law Symposium, University of Limerick, Ireland [Details]
2017 Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, University College Dublin, Ireland
O'Sullivan, K (2017) ‘Religion and Family Law in Ireland: Muslim Families within the Irish legal system’ Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference, University College Dublin, Ireland [Details]
2017 IV Congresso Internacional de Direito de Personalidade, UniCesumar, Maringá, Brazil
O'Sullivan, K (2017) ‘A Evolução do Direito de Família na Irlanda: Um estudo de caso’ IV Congresso Internacional de Direito de Personalidade, UniCesumar, Maringá, Brazil [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 International Society of Family Law World Conference
OSullivan, K (2017) ‘Succession Law Challenges in Non-Traditional Families: International perspectives on step families and posthumously conceived children’ International Society of Family Law World Conference Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 World Congress on Family Law and Children’s Rights
OSullivan, K (2017) ‘Defining Marital Property: A comparative analysis of three contrasting common law approaches’ World Congress on Family Law and Children’s Rights Dublin, Ireland, [ULIR Link] [Details]
2017 Unregistered Muslim Marriages – Regulations and Contestations Symposium
OSullivan, K; Leahy S (2017) ‘Muslim Marriage Recognition in Ireland: Theory and Practice?’ Unregistered Muslim Marriages – Regulations and Contestations Symposium De Monfort University, Leicester, England, [Details]
2016 Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference, Waterford, Ireland
O'Sullivan, K; Leahy, S (2016) ‘The Civil Registration Act 2004: Implications for Muslim Marriages’ Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference, Waterford, Ireland [Details]
2016 Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference
O'Sullivan, K; Leahy, S (2016) ‘Muslim Marriage Recognition in Ireland: Unseen Challenges’ Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference University of Oxford, England, [Details]
2016 Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
O'Sullivan, K (2016) ‘The Devil in the Detail: Property Division under British Columbia’s Family Law Act 2011’ Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference University of Lancaster, England, [ULIR Link] [Details]
2013 Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
Kathryn O'Sullivan (2013) ‘The Characterisation of Assets on Matrimonial Breakdown – The merits of a functional approach’ Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference University of York, England, [ULIR Link] [Details]
2013 Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference
Kathryn O'Sullivan (2013) ‘Protection against the Unilateral Disposition of the Family Home: An Irish perspective’ Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference University of Edinburgh, Scotland, [ULIR Link] [Details]
2014 Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
Kathryn O'Sullivan (2014) ‘Step-children and the Law of Succession – Where should the balance lie’ Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference [ULIR Link] [Details]
2014 Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference
Kathryn O'Sullivan (2014) ‘Ancillary relief on divorce in Ireland: Challenges and opportunities’ Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference Kilkenny, Ireland, [ULIR Link] [Details]
2015 Legal Pedagogy in Transition Seminar
Kathryn O'Sullivan (2015) ‘International Students: The Challenge of Transition’ Legal Pedagogy in Transition Seminar University of Limerick, [ULIR Link] [Details]
2015 National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning
Higgs, B; Kilcommins, S; et al (2015) 'Scholarship of Teaching for Transitions' National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning [ULIR Link] [Details]
2015 Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference
Kathryn O'Sullivan (2015) ‘Ancillary Relief on Divorce in Ireland: Pensions’ Society of Legal Scholars Annual Conference University of York, England, [ULIR Link] [Details]
2015 Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science Annual Teaching Day
Kathryn O'Sullivan (2015) ‘International Law Students in Transition: Challenges and Fears’ Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Science Annual Teaching Day University of Limerick, [ULIR Link] [Details]
2015 Drones: Coming to a Sky near you
O'Sullivan, K (2015) ‘Property Law Rights and UAVs (Drones)’ Drones: Coming to a Sky near you University of Limerick, [ULIR Link] [Details]
2015 Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference
O'Sullivan, K; Jackson, L (2015) ‘The Challenges of the Unrecognised: An Analysis of Muslim Marriage Recognition in England and Wales’ Socio-Legal Studies Association Annual Conference Warwick University, England, [ULIR Link] [Details]

Published Reports

  Year Publication
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'. National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning/UCC, Dublin, Ireland. [ULIR Link] [Details]

Book Review

  Year Publication
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'. Book Review [Details]
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’. Book Review [Details]

Consultancy

  Year Publication
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. Consultancy [Details]
2014 'Matrimonial Property, Needs and Agreements - A submission'.
O'Sullivan, K (2014) 'Matrimonial Property, Needs and Agreements - A submission'. Consultancy [Details]

Invited Seminars

  Year Publication
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: Invited Seminars [Details]
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: Invited Seminars [Details]
2015 ‘Succession Law in Ireland’.
O'Sullivan, K (2015) ‘Succession Law in Ireland’. Community Law Programme, University of Limerick: Invited Seminars [Details]

Magazine Article

  Year Publication
2017 'Intestacy, wills and surviving spouses: The need for reform'.
O'Sullivan, K (2017) 'Intestacy, wills and surviving spouses: The need for reform'. Magazine Article [Details]

Newspaper Articles

  Year Publication
2017 ‘What is the legality of children conceived posthumously?’.
OSullivan, K (2017) ‘What is the legality of children conceived posthumously?’. Cork, Ireland: Newspaper Articles [ULIR Link] [Details]
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: Newspaper Articles [ULIR Link] [Details]
2015 'Law must be updated to protect vulnerable surviving spouses'.
O'Sullivan, K. (2015) 'Law must be updated to protect vulnerable surviving spouses'. Newspaper Articles [ULIR Link] [Details]

Conference Presentation

  Year Publication
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: Conference Presentation [Details]
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: Conference Presentation [Details]
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: Conference Presentation [Details]
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: Conference Presentation [Details]

Honours and Awards

  Year Title Awarding Body
2018 Dobbin Atlantic Scholar Ireland Canada University Foundation

Professional Associations

  Association Function From / To
International Society of Family Law Member /
Society of Legal Scholars (UK) Member /
Socio-Legal Studies Association (UK) Member /
Irish Association of Law Teachers Member (formerly Executive Member 2013/14) /
International Commercial and Economic Law Research Group Member /
Gender Arc Member /

Committees

  Committee Function From / To
Marketing Committee, School of Law Member /
International Education Committee, School of Law Chairperson /

Outreach Activities

  Description

-          ‘Minority Religions under Irish Law Symposium: Islam in National and International Context’ (November 2017)

o   Sole organizer

o   Invited national and international speakers (Emory University, USA; University of Windsor, Canada; University of Copenhagen, Denmark; SOAS, University of London; etc.)

o   CPD points available

-          Legal Pedagogy Seminar (April 2015)

o   Co-Organiser (with Prof Shane Kilcommins & Dr Eimear Spain)

o   Invited speakers from TCD, UCD, UCC, NUIG, Law Society, King’s Inns etc

-          Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 Lecture (April 2015)

o   Co-Organiser (with Dr Susan Leahy & Dr Connie Healy)

o   Guest speaker Mr Geoffrey Shannon; Chair Judge Tom O’Donnell

o   CPD points available

-          Judge Henchy Memorial Lecture (October 2014)

o   Co-Organiser (with Dr Laura Cahillane)

o   Guest speaker was Mr Justice Gerard Hogan, opening comments were by Professor Paul McCutcheon, UL and chair was Mr Michael McNamara, TD.   
 CPD points available

-          Irish Association of Law Teachers Annual Conference, Kilkenny (November 2014)

o   Member of the organisation committee 

Teaching Interests

Kathryn has a keen interest in teaching and learning. She completed a Specialist Diploma in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship in 2014, graduating with First Class Honours, and was recognised with the University's 'Excellence in Teaching Award 2018' having previously received a Special Commendation for Excellence in Teaching in 2015. She has secured national funding from the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education on two occasions. She formed part of a team which received funding of €25,000 in 2015 to conduct a focused research project entitled: 'Teaching for Transitions: A Review of Teaching for Transitions related to Teaching and Learning Activity and Research' (available to download). In 2015, she, along with two colleagues, also secured National Forum funding to hold a one-day workshop entitled ‘Legal Pedagogy in Transition’. Moreover, Kathryn obtained a Teaching Development Grant from the University of Limerick to conduct research with International/Erasmus Law students and run a series of Legal English workshops to support such students.