Rob George
British Academy Postdoctoral Fellow
Rob George holds a British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship at University College. Dr George is a leading expert on relocation disputes, which are legal cases between separated parents where one of them proposes to move to a new geographic location with their child. His main research project from 2012 to 2014 looks at how these disputes are resolved in the trial courts of England and Wales, by looking at unreported case judgments and the experiences of lawyers and parents. (More information about this research can be found on the project page.)
More generally, Dr George's research interests are in child and family law, broadly conceived, with a particular emphasis on international and comparative aspects of the law and its practice. Dr George has strong links with practising lawyers, including being an Associate Member of Harcourt Chambers, and he is regularly consulted by practitioners about aspects of family law. He is also interested in legal policy-making, making frequent submissions to legal consultations, talking with policy-makers, officials and journalists, and writing an occasional blog on law and related areas.
Dr George works as Case Notes Editor of the Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, and is a member of the Oxford Centre for Family Law and Policy, of the Socio-Legal Studies Association and of the Society of Legal Scholars. He welcomes enquiries about his research from academics, practising lawyers, policy-makers, journalists and others, and is happy to discuss potential research topics with prospective research students.
Publications
Showing five recent publications sorted by year, then title [change this]
2013
R George, 'Fifty Years in Family Law: Essays for Stephen Cretney, edited by Rebecca Probert and Chris Barton' (2013) Law Quarterly Review 121 [Review]
R George, Relocation Disputes: Law and Practice in England and New Zealand (Hart Publishing 2013) (forthcoming) [...]
Relocation cases are disputes between separated parents which arise when one parent proposes to move to a new geographic location with their child and the other parent objects to the proposal. Relocation disputes are widely recognised as being amongst the most difficult cases facing family courts, and the law governing them is increasingly a cause for debate at both national and international levels. In Relocation Disputes: Law and Practice in England and New Zealand, Rob George looks at the different ways in which the legal systems of England and New Zealand currently deal with relocation cases. Drawing on case law, literature and the views of legal practitioners in the two jurisdictions, Relocation Disputes represents a major contribution to our understanding of the everyday practice of relocation cases. The empirical data reported in this book reveal the practical differences between the English and New Zealand approaches to relocation, along with a detailed analysis of the pros and cons of each system as seen by judges, lawyers and court experts who deal with these cases in practice. This analysis leads to detailed criticisms and lessons that can be learnt, together with practical suggestions about possible reforms of relocation law.
R George and O Cominetti, 'Relocation in English Law: Thorpe LJ’s Contribution and the Future' [2013] International Family Law forthcoming
R George, F Judd QC, D Garrido and A Worwood, Relocation: A Practical Guide (Jordan Publishing 2013) (forthcoming) [...]
Relocation disputes arise between separated parents when one of them proposes to move to a different geographic location with their child and the other parent objects to the plan. Whether the proposed move is within the United Kingdom or international, the consequence of either allowing or refusing a relocation application is usually of the greatest importance to the parents and children involved. Relocation: A Practical Guide offers practitioners and parents a comprehensive handbook on the law and practice which is needed to successfully handle any relocation dispute, whether it ends up in court or not. Written in an accessible style by a team of experienced specialists, Relocation: A Practical Guide explains the entire process of dealing with a relocation case. After a detailed discussion of both international and internal relocation law (including case examples and key summaries), the book moves step by step through the entire process of a case, from first discussions to final hearings and appeals. Essential relocation cases and relevant Practice Directions are also contained in the appendices, making this an indispensable guide for anyone working in this complex and fast-changing area of law and practice.
2012
R George, 'Cohabitants' Property Rights: When Is Fair Fair?' (2012) Cambridge Law Journal 31 [Case Note]
