Sinéad Agnew

Dr Sinéad Agnew serves as the Catherine Seville Associate Professor in Law at the University of Cambridge, holding dual appointments at Newnham College and the Faculty of Law. At the Faculty, she lectures in Equity and Land Law, while at Newnham College she acts as Director of Studies in Law and supervises Equity. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she has earned multiple student-nominated teaching awards across institutions.

Her academic credentials include:

• LLB from Trinity College Dublin
• MJur from Oxford University
• MPhil in Social and Economic History from the University of Cambridge
• PhD from the London School of Economics

Agnew's research centers on private law with deep specialization in equity, trusts law, obligations, and legal history. She examines moral foundations and historical evolution of equitable doctrines, particularly trust institutions, while extending her work into pensions and company law. Her scholarship reveals interdisciplinary connections between legal theory, commercial practice, and social policy frameworks.

Recent publications demonstrate consistent engagement with conscience-driven private law relationships across property, pensions, and corporate governance contexts. The monograph-in-progress on conscience in private law represents a unifying thread through her editorial and authorial contributions.

Professional recognition includes:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• UCL Faculty of Laws Excellence Award for Legal Teaching (2019)
• Cambridge University Students Union Research Supervisor of the Year (2024)

Agnew maintains an exceptional supervision record evidenced by student-led teaching awards at UCL and Cambridge. The 2024 Research Supervisor of the Year award underscores her mentorship excellence. While specific grant details aren't provided, her extensive publication portfolio and editorial leadership indicate sustained research activity and funding.