UoA 20 Law

This unit of assessment focuses on legal research undertaken by the Law School in the College of Social Science and International Studies.

Key results

  • Has 85 per cent of research ranked at world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*), compared to 73 per cent nationally.
  • This unit was ranked 11 out of 67 submissions nationally.

Impact case studies

NameSummary
Informing and influencing policymakers on cohabitation, marriage and law Research undertaken by Professor Anne Barlow at Exeter into cohabitation, marriage and the law has shaped, informed and influenced long-running public and policy debates in Britain over the need to reform aspects of family (property) law, in light of widespread public confusion and on-going societal shifts. The research findings on attitudes to cohabitation and marriage, community of property and pre-nuptial agreements and the law, each cited in public consultation papers and reports advocating reform, have influenced the Law Commission and judiciary in the UK and informed German policymakers. The cohabitation research in particular has:
  • Shaped public information and legal advice;
  • Informed and stimulated high-profile law reform lobbying campaigns and media debates;
  • Strongly influenced Law Commission legislative proposals on cohabitant intestacy, and
  • Shaped national policy in use by government to oppose reform in parliamentary debates.

Impacting government policy on post-separation parenting

Three studies by Professor Liz Trinder have helped shape national policy and informed practice on three related issues regarding arrangements for children after parental separation. The three issues are whether or not there should be a statutory presumption of shared time, the scope and shape of education programmes for separated parents and whether additional punitive sanctions would assist with the enforcement of court orders for contact. Professor Trinder’s three studies have built a strong evidence base and have had an impact by:

  • Helping to shape national policy on shared care, parent education and enforcement.
  • Informing professional decision-making on shared care, parent education and enforcement.
  • Stimulating public debate about shared care.

Research strengths

NameDescription
Legal History Our strength in this area lies in a recognised College Centre called the Bracton Centre for Legal History Research which is a beacon for internationally excellent, original and rigorous legal history research spanning the Middle Ages to the modern period and employing both doctrinal and interdisciplinary approaches.
Family Law and Policy This research network, the Network on Family Regulation and Society, led by the University of Exeter and partnered with Bath, Bristol and Cardiff. It is awaiting the outcome of a bid for ESRC Centre status.
Commercial and Corporate Law This is a research grouping based around new professorial and lecture level appointments that has potential as a research centre.
European Law Our strength in this area lies in a recognised College Centre called the Centre for European Legal Studies (CELS) which provides a focus for the teaching and research of both European Union and comparative law in the Law School with involvement from members of staff at both our Exeter and Cornwall campuses.

 Centres and groups

NameDescription
Bracton Centre for Legal History Research Projects shed light on the legal past, from the lives of Tudor lawyers, to the foundations of legal protection for the property of the mentally ill. As a Centre we provide insights and valuable resources for students, the judiciary, historians and others.
Family Law Policy Network The Network on Family Regulation and Society, (in association with the universities of Bath, Bristol and Cardiff) is a major new development in the Law School and stands as a beacon for collaborative research within the socio-legal field. They work with user organisations such the Ministry of Justice, One Plus One and Resolution. The directors have discussed possible projects with EGENIS and see positive future links with scientific partners.

 Projects

Please see the Law School website for more details on our research projects.

UoA 20 Law

This unit of assessment focuses on legal research undertaken by the Law School in the College of Social Science and International Studies.

Key results

  • Has 85 per cent of research ranked at world-leading (4*) or internationally excellent (3*), compared to 73 per cent nationally.
  • This unit was ranked 11 out of 67 submissions nationally.

Impact case studies

NameSummary
Informing and influencing policymakers on cohabitation, marriage and law Research undertaken by Professor Anne Barlow at Exeter into cohabitation, marriage and the law has shaped, informed and influenced long-running public and policy debates in Britain over the need to reform aspects of family (property) law, in light of widespread public confusion and on-going societal shifts. The research findings on attitudes to cohabitation and marriage, community of property and pre-nuptial agreements and the law, each cited in public consultation papers and reports advocating reform, have influenced the Law Commission and judiciary in the UK and informed German policymakers. The cohabitation research in particular has:
  • Shaped public information and legal advice;
  • Informed and stimulated high-profile law reform lobbying campaigns and media debates;
  • Strongly influenced Law Commission legislative proposals on cohabitant intestacy, and
  • Shaped national policy in use by government to oppose reform in parliamentary debates.

Impacting government policy on post-separation parenting

Three studies by Professor Liz Trinder have helped shape national policy and informed practice on three related issues regarding arrangements for children after parental separation. The three issues are whether or not there should be a statutory presumption of shared time, the scope and shape of education programmes for separated parents and whether additional punitive sanctions would assist with the enforcement of court orders for contact. Professor Trinder’s three studies have built a strong evidence base and have had an impact by:

  • Helping to shape national policy on shared care, parent education and enforcement.
  • Informing professional decision-making on shared care, parent education and enforcement.
  • Stimulating public debate about shared care.

Research strengths

NameDescription
Legal History Our strength in this area lies in a recognised College Centre called the Bracton Centre for Legal History Research which is a beacon for internationally excellent, original and rigorous legal history research spanning the Middle Ages to the modern period and employing both doctrinal and interdisciplinary approaches.
Family Law and Policy This research network, the Network on Family Regulation and Society, led by the University of Exeter and partnered with Bath, Bristol and Cardiff. It is awaiting the outcome of a bid for ESRC Centre status.
Commercial and Corporate Law This is a research grouping based around new professorial and lecture level appointments that has potential as a research centre.
European Law Our strength in this area lies in a recognised College Centre called the Centre for European Legal Studies (CELS) which provides a focus for the teaching and research of both European Union and comparative law in the Law School with involvement from members of staff at both our Exeter and Cornwall campuses.

 Centres and groups

NameDescription
Bracton Centre for Legal History Research Projects shed light on the legal past, from the lives of Tudor lawyers, to the foundations of legal protection for the property of the mentally ill. As a Centre we provide insights and valuable resources for students, the judiciary, historians and others.
Family Law Policy Network The Network on Family Regulation and Society, (in association with the universities of Bath, Bristol and Cardiff) is a major new development in the Law School and stands as a beacon for collaborative research within the socio-legal field. They work with user organisations such the Ministry of Justice, One Plus One and Resolution. The directors have discussed possible projects with EGENIS and see positive future links with scientific partners.

 Projects

Please see the Law School website for more details on our research projects.