University of Birmingham appoints new Dean of Birmingham Law School

Professor Barr joins the University of Birmingham in September, following a period at Cardiff University as Head of the School of Law and Politics. He was previously Head of the Department of Law at the University of Liverpool from 2017 to 2021 and Interim Dean of the School of Law and Social Justice.

Professor Barr is also Vice-Chair of the Committee of Heads of University Law Schools, an academic member of the Property Bar Association and Chair of the Modern Studies in Property Law Board. He is also co-author of a leading Equity & Trusts textbook, Pearce & Stevens Trusts and Equitable Obligations (published by Oxford University Press).

Announcing the appointment, Professor Andrew Stockley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Arts and Law, said: “I am delighted to welcome Warren to the University of Birmingham. His experience and expertise will make him an incredible asset to the team, and he will be well placed to build on the Law School’s strengths when he joins us in September.”

Professor Barr’s main teaching areas are Land Law, Equity and Trusts, Landlord and Tenant and the Law of Charities. He is a past winner of the National Law Teacher of the Year award and a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

His research focuses on the impact of property rules and how they affect charities in carrying out their charitable purposes, the boundaries between property law and other areas of law and how they impact landlord and tenant law, and housing law.

Professor Nelson Enonchong, Barber Professor of Law and Interim Dean of Birmingham Law School said: “I am thrilled that Warren is joining us as Dean of Birmingham Law School and look forward to working with him. Birmingham Law School is a world-leading research institution, making the top 10 of the latest Research Excellence Framework rankings, and we pride ourselves on giving our students a world-class educational experience. I am looking forward to working with Warren to further build on the recent success of the Law School.”

Professor Barr commented: “I am very much looking forward to working with colleagues in Birmingham Law School, the College and the wider institution and to help them meet their ambitions. The Law School offers an enviable mix of research excellence and truly transformative educational experiences for students at all study levels, so I am very excited to lead the next chapter in the development and reach of this incredible School and the amazing group of people that is comprised of. I know that we will go on to do great things together.”