Biography

I am a qualified (non-practising) solicitor in two jurisdictions (the Republic of Ireland and England & Wales). I joined the university in 2015. Prior to working at UoP, I was employed as a solicitor in the area of private practice in Portsmouth, practicing in the area of Private Client.

Prior to moving to the UK, I was employed by the Legal Aid Board in Ireland, practicing in the area of Child Protection, Family Law and Civil Litigation. During that time I also lectured on law modules at Griffith College Cork, Ireland. I am a graduate of University College Cork, Ireland.

Research interests

The law of outer space is a research interest of mine. I have contributed on this topic at events organised by the the University of Portsmouth’s Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation (ICG), including being part of the organising team for a regional Symposium on 'Space Law & Policy' in January 2024, etc (see Activities).

Teaching responsibilities

I currently coordinate the Family Law undergraduate module.

In previous years I have coordinated the following modules: Public International Law; Jurisprudence & Ethics; Public LawLegal Project; and Legal Writing & Research. I have also worked on teaching teams of the following modules: Equality & Human Rights;  Business & Employment Law; and Research & Professional Development.

Research outputs

2024

Fettering scrutiny on executive discretionary powers? Developments in the judicial reviewability of ministerial non-statutory guidance

Atkins, S.

8 Aug 2024, In: Northern Ireland Legal Quarterly. 75, 2, p. 298-330, 33p.

Research output: Article

R(AAA) v SSHD and the implications of customary international law for the UK

Atkins, S., Walsh, K.

1 Jun 2024, In: Legal Studies. 44, 2, p. 391-397, 7p.

Research output: Article

2022

When our paths cross again: the Supreme Court's management of related asylum and child abduction claims in G v G

Walsh, K., Atkins, S.

1 Sep 2022, In: The Modern Law Review. 85, 5, p. 1245-1260, 16p.

Research output: Article

2020

Between the CJEU and ECtHR: Human rights of asylum seekers and their reception conditions in Europe since Opinion 2/13

Atkins, S.

1 Jun 2020, In: Journal of Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Law. 34, 2

Research output: Article

View all my research outputs