Academic Profile

As an undergraduate, I studied Law with French at the Universities of Leicester and Paris XI, after which I completed the Legal Practice Course at Nottingham Law School. I trained as a solicitor at a large regional firm and, following qualification, I practised commercial litigation at the same firm. I left private practice in order to study for an LLM in Commercial Law at the University of Birmingham. I was appointed to my current post at the University of Sheffield in 2003. Since then, I have taught Contract Law, Torts, Insurance Law and the Law of Restitution.

Qualifications

• LLM (Commercial Law), University of Birmingham;
• Diploma in Legal Practice, Nottingham Law School;
• LLB (Law with French), University of Leicester.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching is one of the most rewarding aspects of my job. I aim to provide a supportive learning environment in which students feel comfortable putting forward arguments and asking questions. Seminars where all students are engaged with the topic and participating in a lively debate are a pleasure to lead. In both lectures and seminars, I try to provoke students into really thinking through the issues and arguments for themselves. This is vitally important in order to develop skills of critical analysis which will enable students to perform well in assessments. I wish to build confidence in the students that I teach, helping them to reach their full potential. I hope therefore that they will feel able to approach me to request support when required.

Modules I teach are:

Undergraduate
The Law of Restitution (Convenor)
Law of Contract

Research Interests

My research interests lie in the law of Unjust Enrichment and Restitution more widely. Most recently, I have been researching how the law of Restitution may be employed as a response to slavery and forced labour, both historic and modern-day.

Member of the Institute of Commercial Law Studies Research Cluster(s)
Member of North East Regional Obligations Group

Areas of Research Supervision

Any aspect of the law of Unjust Enrichment or Restitution more widely.

Key Publications

Bracegirdle, K. (2012) Restitution as a Legal Strategy. In Fernne Brennan and John Packer (eds), Colonialism, Slavery, Reparations and Trade: Remedying the 'Past'? Routledge

Bracegirdle, K. (2007) Mistake in Contract Law and in Unjust Enrichment. In P. Giliker (ed.) Re-examining Contract and Unjust Enrichment: Anglo-Canadian Perspectives Martinus Nijhoff

Bracegirdle, K. (2005) Subrogation to a Security: Cheltenham & Gloucester –v- Appleyard [2005] LMCLQ 140