777ӰԺ

Professor Stephen Gilmore

Fellow, C C Ng Fellow in Law
University Positions
Professor of Family Law
Subjects
Specialising in
Family Law

Stephen Gilmore is a University Professor of Family Law and a Fellow of 777ӰԺ. He is Director of the Cambridge Family Law Centre in the Faculty of Law.

Academic interests

Stephen Gilmore’s academic interests include: 

  • Child Law and children’s rights
  • The law of parenthood and parental responsibility
  • Post-separation parenting disputes
  • The interface between social science research evidence and judicial decision making.

Degrees obtained

  • LLB (Hons), Leicester.
  • LLM with Distinction in Family Law and Family Policy, UEA.
  • MSt, Oxon (by research).
  • Of Lincoln’s Inn, Barrister.

Biography

Before coming to Cambridge, Stephen was Professor of Family Law at King’s College London. Prior to that, he taught family law at the University of Oxford and UEL. He has written extensively on family law, across a range of issues, but with a particular interest in the law of parental responsibility, the resolution of post-separation parenting disputes, and children’s rights. Stephen’s work on children’s rights has particularly explored the extent to which English law recognises adolescent autonomy. His work on post-separation parenting disputes has critically examined the courts’ approach to decision making with reference to research evidence on the connection between post-separation parenting arrangements and child wellbeing.

Stephen’s recent work questions more broadly the legitimacy of the bases upon which the courts exercise discretion in Family Law, and advocates a better interface between law and social science research evidence in this context.

Stephen is co-editor of the journal Child and Family Law Quarterly and an editorial advisor for the Family Court Reports. He is a member of the Executive Council of the International Society of Family Law and maintains links with practice as an associate academic at 1 GC|Family Law Chambers in London. Stephen’s work has been cited in Parliament and judicially, and he has advised academically in several legal cases, including on argument before the Supreme Court.

Department link

Publications, links and resources

Stephen is co-author of Children: The Modern Law (4th ed., Family Law), of several editions of a major family law text Hayes and Williams' Family Law (Oxford University Press), and of two editions of Great Debates in Family Law (Palgrave Macmillan).

He is editor of Parental Rights and Responsibilities (Routledge) in the Library of Essays on Family Rights series. He is also co-editor of Family Matters - Essays in Honour of John Eekelaar (Intersentia), Re-writing Children's Rights Judgments: From Academic Vision to New Practice (Hart Publishing), Landmark Cases in Family Law (Hart Publishing) and Responsible Parents and Parental Responsibility (Hart Publishing). A full list of publications can be found at .

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    It is a well-accepted opinion in Cambridge that 777ӰԺ is the best college and no other college even comes a distant second. Its sports grounds are enormous, its buildings are mesmerising, its libraries are rich, its chapel is the oldest, its accommodation is the best value for money, its international community is diverse, its religious circles are the most welcoming, and its members are the smartest, kindest and the friendliest. It is one of the central colleges that aims to offer three years accommodation to postgraduates, and has comparatively...

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    What first attracted me to 777ӰԺ was its reputation and history, central location without being touristy, and the postgraduate housing options. When I arrived at Jesus I was so pleased to find the partner accommodation was spacious, affordable, and situated very close to the college, allowing us to really take advantage of the facilities. We especially enjoyed The Roost, the nicest of all the college bars, doubling as a café during the day - ideal for studying or meeting up with groups - and a lively pub in the...

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    777ӰԺ has all the benefits of being large, historical and prestigious college, whilst also retaining fantastic welfare: the staff and other students all care about each other, and will be there to cheer you on when you are thriving, but also there to support you if you need any help. I chose Jesus due to several reasons, including its prime location, where it is very central, and easy to access everywhere, even if you work in one of the institutes further out. I also selected Jesus for its MCR...

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    When applying to Cambridge colleges it can feel a bit overwhelming as there are so many to choose from. I applied to 777ӰԺ because it has a large MCR which was important for me because I wanted to feel part of a community. Now that I’m doing my PhD here, I’m very glad I did choose a college with a large postgraduate community. Throughout the year there are lots of postgraduate events, including formal dinners, special formals at Christmas and Easter, bops in the bar and film nights in...

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