معرفی
Dr Andy Hayward is an Associate Professor at Durham Law School, where he specializes in domestic and comparative family law, family property, legal history, and trusts and equity. He leads research projects on cohabitation reform, same-sex marriage and civil partnerships, and family property law. His work has influenced policy debates, including advising the UK Parliament’s Women and Equalities Committee on cohabitation rights. He is a member of the Family Justice Council and contributes to media discussions on legal reforms. Hayward teaches family law and equity, and has received awards for teaching excellence, including the University Excellence in Learning and Teaching Award (2016). He supervises PhD students in family law, equity, and comparative law. His research has been cited in high court cases and scholarly works.
Research Interests
- Legal regulation of adult relationships and property consequences post-breakdown
- Cohabitation reform in England and Wales, including a global comparative study
- Evolution of civil partnerships post-2019 extension to mixed-sex couples
- Familialisation of property law, particularly constructive trusts and proprietary estoppel
Recent Publications
- Contributions to De Facto Relationships: A Comparative Guide (2025)
- Research Handbook on Family Property and the Law (co-edited, 2024)
- Analysis of Burns v Burns’s legacy in family property disputes
Awards & Recognition
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Nominated for Oxford University Press Law Teacher of the Year
Administration & Leadership
Currently Director of Postgraduate Research at Durham Law School, overseeing MJur and PhD programs. Previously led Gender and Law initiatives (GLAD) and served on the University Senate Disciplinary Committee.
Labs & Collaborations
Leads the Cohabitation Network under Family Law Reform Now and collaborates with Resolution and international universities like Université Catholique de Louvain and the University of Cambridge.
