Dr Anna Heenan
Lecturer in Law
- heenana@cardiff.ac.uk
- +44 (0)29 2087 4366
- 2.06, Law Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX
Overview
I joined the School of Law and Politics as Lecturer in September 2018, having previously been a solicitor in practice and studying for a PhD.
My research is in family law, with a particular focus on the financial consequences of relationship breakdown. My PhD research looked at the financial arrangements reached by separating parents, and how childcare responsibilities intersected with these. During this project, I spent time as a visting researcher at the University of Uppsala in Sweden. I also conducted interviews with lawyers in Sweden and the Netherlands in order to understand the different approaches taken by the law in these jurisdicitions.
I have written on a variety of family law subjects, and am the co-author of the Family Law Concentrate revision guide published by OUP.
I believe strongly in access to justice, and manage the Law School's Support Through Court and Victim Support and pro bono schemes. I have also been heavily involved in establishing the Law in the Community module which allows students to gain pro bono experience as part of their degree.
Prior to working in academia, I was a solicitor in practice. I continue to work as a Professional Support Lawyer at the Family Law Practice in Bristol, where I deliver regular training sessions on the latest developments in family law.
Publications
2020
- Heenan, A. 2020. prLaw and policy in modern family finance: property division in the 21st century [Book Review]. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law 42(2), pp. 274-276. (10.1080/09649069.2020.1751930)
- Heenan, A. 2020. Neoliberal autonomy and financial remedy reform: lessons from Sweden. Child and Family Law Quarterly 2020(3), pp. 263-284.
2018
- Heenan, A. 2018. An (un)equal start on the road to independent living: what does fairness mean in big money cases?. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law 40(3), pp. 362-365. (10.1080/09649069.2018.1493654)
- Heenan, A. 2018. Causal and temporal connections in financial remedy cases: the meaning of marriage. Child and Family Law Quarterly 30(1), pp. 75-88.
2015
- Heenan, A. 2015. Principles for spousal maintenance awards. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law 37(4), pp. 470-472. (10.1080/09649069.2015.1121957)
- Heenan, A. 2015. Step-parent adoption and proportionality. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law 37(2), pp. 244-246. (10.1080/09649069.2015.1028158)
2014
- Way, P. and Heenan, A. 2014. Pensions on divorce: the lifetime allowance and sharing pensions tax effectively. Family Law 44, pp. 326-330.
2012
- Heenan, A. and Heenan, S. 2012. Norgrove and after: An overview of the Family Justice Review and the government's response. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law 34(3), pp. 381-394. (10.1080/09649069.2012.750486)
- Heenan, A. 2012. Scuppering Schofield? The impact of the EU Maintenance Regulation on claims for pension sharing. Family Law 42, pp. 191-195.
2011
- Heenan, A. and Bateman, J. 2011. Pondering property rights: the European commission proposals on property regimes for international couples. International Family Law
2007
- McDonald, I., Heenan, S. and Heenan, A. 2007. Consultation document: Bearing good witness - proposals for reforming the delivery of medical expert evidence in family law cases. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law 29(2), pp. 151-161. (10.1080/09649060701666630)
Teaching
I currently teach on the following undegraduate modules:
- Equity and Trusts
- Family Law (Joint module leader)
I have previously taught on the Law in the Community module, which allows students to gain placement and pro bono experience as part of their degree.
During my PhD, I taught on the Family Law undergraduate modules at Exeter University and the University of the West England. When I was a solicitor in practice, I also taught on the Legal Practice Course for NCLT.
I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.