Professor Richard Kirkham

School of Law

Head of School

Staff headshot of Richard Kirkham
Profile picture of Staff headshot of Richard Kirkham
R.M.Kirkham@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 6704
Bartolome House

Full contact details

Professor Richard Kirkham
School of Law
Bartolome House
Winter Street
Sheffield
S3 7ND
Profile

My main research interest is administrative justice, with a particular specialism on the work of the ombudsman. I am a current holder of an 18 month Nuffield Foundation grant examining the procedural fairness in ombuds schemes.

I am a recognised national and international authority on the ombudsman institution after writing widely on the topic, including the book The Ombudsman Enterprise and Administrative Justice (with Trevor Buck and Brian Thompson (Ashgate, 2011)).

In 2013, I was the lead author on an independent report commissioned to review the work of the Local Government Ombudsman in England External Evaluation of the Local Government Ombudsman. In 2013 I also conducted an evaluation of the Gibraltar Ombudsman scheme - A Review of the Gibraltar Public Services Ombudsman.

In 2007 I was the author of a Parliamentary Paper on the Parliamentary Ombudsmans 40th anniversary, The Parliamentary Ombudsman: Withstanding the test of time.

My work has been widely cited, for instance in the Law Commissions 2008 and 2010 reports on '' and its later work on "Public Services Ombudsmen". For the 2014 REF exercise my combined work was submitted as one of the School of Laws impact studies.

In 2015, I received a Faculty of Social Sciences Teaching Excellence in Social Sciences (TESS) award for outstanding learning and teaching. In recent years I have become a regular blogger and can be followed on twitter.

Previously, I studied Law at Southampton University (LLB), Socio-Legal Studies at the University of Sheffield (MA) and completed a PhD in Law, also at the University of Sheffield. I have worked as a lecturer at the University of Sheffield since 2001, and before that was employed by the Audit Commission.

Qualifications
  • PhD, University of Sheffield
  • MA Socio-Legal Studies, University of Sheffield
  • LLB Law, University of Southampton
Research interests
  • Ombudsman
  • Constitutional Theory
  • Administrative Justice
  • ADR

I was formerly the Director of the Centre for the Study of Law in Society.

Publications

Books

  • (2020) . Springer International Publishing.
  • (2018) . Edward Elgar Publishing.
  • Buck T, Kirkham R & Thompson B (2013) The ombudsman enterprise and administrative justice.
  • Buck T, Kirkham R & Thompson B (2011) The ombudsman enterprise and administrative justice.
  • Buck T, Kirkham R & Thompson B (2010) The Ombudsman Enterprise and Administrative Justice. Routledge.
  • Buck T, Kirkham R & Thompson B () . Routledge.

Edited books

  • (Ed.) (2021) Executive Decision-Making and the Courts: Revisiting the Origins of Modern Judicial Review..

Journal articles

  • Kirkham R (2024) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 46(4), iii-xiv.
  • Kirkham R & O'Loughlin EA (2020) Judicial review and ombuds: a systematic analysis. Public Law, 2020(Oct), 680-700.
  • Creutzfeldt N & Kirkham R (2020) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 42(2), 253-273.
  • Kirkham R & Stuhmcke A (2020) . Common Law World Review, 49(1), 56-74.
  • Kirkham R & OLoughlin EA (2019) , 329-341.
  • Kirkham RM, Leigh J, McLaughlin K & Worsley A (2019) . Legal Studies, 39(2), 339-357.
  • Kirkham R (2018) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 40(1), 110-125.
  • Kirkham RM (2017) JR55, judicial strategy and the limits of textual reasoning. Public Law(1), 46-62.
  • Behan CM & Kirkham R (2016) . The Howard Journal of Crime and Justice, 55(4), 432-454.
  • Kirkham RM & Allt A (2016) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 38(2).
  • Kirkham RM (2016) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 38(1), 103-114.
  • Kirkham RM (2015) A Welsh Twist on Constitutional Watchdogs. Cambrian Law Review.
  • Kirkham R & Martin J (2014) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 36(3), 330-348.
  • Kirkham R (2012) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 34(1), 87-89.
  • Kirkham RM (2012) The Ombudsman, Tribunals and Administrative Justice Section. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law(1), 71-73.
  • Kirkham R (2011) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 33(1), 71-83.
  • Buck T, Kirkham RM & Thompson B (2011) Time for a Leggatt style review of the ombudsman system. Public Law, 20-29.
  • Kirkham R (2011) . The Modern Law Review, 74(4), 617-630.
  • Kirkham R (2010) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 32(3), 325-334.
  • French D & Kirkham RM (2010) Complaint and Grievance Mechanisms in International Law: One Piece of the Accountability Jigsaw?. New Zealand Yearbook of International Law, 179-206.
  • Kirkham R (2010) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 32(4), 411-421.
  • Kirkham RM (2010) Lessons from devolution. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law(3), 325-334.
  • Kirkham R (2009) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 31(3), 299-308.
  • Kirkham RM (2009) A new Scottish approach to administrative justice. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law(3), 299-308.
  • Kirkham R, Thompson B & Buck T (2009) . Parliamentary Affairs, 62(4), 600-617.
  • Kirkham RM (2009) The Constitutional Role of the Ombudsman. The International Ombudsman Year Book, 10, 120-140.
  • Kirkham R (2008) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 30(3), 253-263.
  • Kirkham R (2008) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 30(2), 163-174.
  • Kirkham R (2008) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 30(1), 75-83.
  • Kirkham RM (2008) Human Rights and the Ombudsmen 2005-06. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law(1), 75-83.
  • Kirkham RM (2008) When Putting Things Right Goes Wrong: Enforcing the Recommendations of the Ombudsman. Public Law, 510-530.
  • Kirkham R (2008) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 29(3-4), 319-330.
  • (2006) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 28(2), 201-210.
  • Kirkham RM (2006) A Review of the Public Sector Ombudsmen 2005-06. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law(3/4), 347-358.
  • Kirkham R (2006) . The Modern Law Review, 69(5), 792-818.
  • Kirkham RM & cardwell PJ (2006) The EU: a role model for regional governance?. European Public Law, 3, 403-431.
  • Kirkham RM (2006) Housing Allocation, Homelessness, Special Reports and the Ombudsmen. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law(2), 189-198.
  • Kirkham RM (2006) Finally, Reform is on its Way. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law(1), 81-86.
  • Kirkham RM (2005) Auditing by stealth? Special Reports and the Ombudsman. Public Law, 740-748.
  • Kirkham RM (2005) A complainants view of the Local Government Ombudsman. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law(3/4), 381-392.
  • Kirkham R (2005) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 27(2), 185-197.
  • Kirkham RM (2005) The Ombudsmen of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law(1), 79-90.
  • Kirkham R (2004) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 26(4), 417-429.
  • Kirkham R (2004) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 26(3), 301-311.
  • Kirkham R (2004) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 26(1), 89-98.
  • Kirkham R (2004) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 26(2), 181-194.
  • Kirkham RM (2004) The latest from the UK Ombudsmen. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law(4), 417-429.
  • Kirkham RM (2004) Prevention is better than litigation. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law(3), 301-311.
  • Kirkham RM (2004) When is it appropriate to use an Ombudsman?. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law(2), 181-194.
  • Kirkham RM (2004) A Year in the Life of the Parliamentary Ombudsman. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law(1), 89-98.
  • Kirkham R (2003) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 25(3), 267-275.
  • Kirkham R (2003) . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 25(4), 399-410.
  • Kirkham RM & James R (2003) Slow Progress in Parliament: the Eighth Report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life. Modern Law Review, 906-919.
  • Kirkham RM (2003) Dealing with unlawful charging of mental health patients. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 401-412.
  • Kirkham RM (2003) Why Ombudsmen are important: helping long-term patients. Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 267-275.
  • Beyleveld D, Kirkham R & Townend D (2002) . Legal Studies, 22(2), 185-207.
  • Kirkham R & Wells P () . Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 36(2), 190-207.

Book chapters

  • Kirkham R, Tomlinson J, Hertogh M & Thomas R (2022) Administrative Justice: An overview of different traditions and concepts In Kirkham R, Tomlinson J, Hertogh M & Thomas R (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Administrative Justice (pp. xv-xxiii). Oxford University Press
  • Kirkham R (2022) The Ombud as a Chameleon: A Story of Adaptation to Different Administrative Cultures In Kirkham R, Tomlinson J, Hertogh M & Thomas R (Ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Administrative Justice (pp. 89-114). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Tomlinson J & Kirkham R (2022) Revisiting the Administrative Justice Legacy of New Labour, New Labour Constitution Twenty Years on (pp. 263-284).
  • Kirkham R (2022) , The Ombudsman in the Modern State Hart Publishing
  • Arvind TT, Kirkham R, S穩thigh DM & Stirton L (2021) Introduction: Judicial Review and the Quartet, Executive Decision Making and the Courts Revisiting the Origins of Modern Judicial Review (pp. 1-26).
  • Arvind TT, Kirkham R, S穩thigh DM & Stirton L (2021) The Real Argument about Judicial Review, Executive Decision Making and the Courts Revisiting the Origins of Modern Judicial Review (pp. 419-448).
  • Kirkham R & Tsarapatsanis D (2021) Strategic Judging: Lessons from the Reid Era of Judicial Decision-Making, Executive Decision Making and the Courts Revisiting the Origins of Modern Judicial Review (pp. 393-416).
  • Kirkham R & Taylor M (2021) Health Data, Public Interest, and Surveillance for Non Health-Related Purposes In Iphofen R & Kolstoe S (Ed.), Ethical Issues in Covert, Security and Surveillance Research
  • Kirkham R & Gill C (2020) , A Manifesto for Ombudsman Reform (pp. 13-39). Springer International Publishing
  • Kirkham R (2020) , A Manifesto for Ombudsman Reform (pp. 127-142). Springer International Publishing
  • Gill C & Kirkham R (2020) , A Manifesto for Ombudsman Reform (pp. 1-11). Springer International Publishing
  • Hertogh M & Kirkham R (2018) An agenda for future research: Towards a general 'ombuds-science', Research Handbook on the Ombudsman (pp. 508-515).
  • Hertogh M & Kirkham R (2018) The ombudsman and administrative justice: From promise to performance, Research Handbook on the Ombudsman (pp. 1-15).
  • Kirkham RM (2016) Regulating ADR: Lessons from the UK In Cortes P (Ed.), The New Regulatory Framework for Consumer Alternative Dispute Resolution OUP
  • Kirkham RM (2014) Commentary: The improving but imperfect world of the Ombudsman In Elliott M & Thomas R (Ed.), Public Law Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Thompson B, Kirkham RM & Buck T (2011) Modelul Ombudsmanului britanic, irlandez i Australian: expansiune, redimensionare i noi orizonturi In Drago D-C & Neam籟u B (Ed.), Institu籟ia Ombudsmanului: justi籟ie alternativ? (pp. 277-299). Bucharest: C H Beck.
  • Kirkham RM & French (2010) Complaint and Grievance Mechanisms in International Dispute Settlement In French , Saul & White (Ed.), International Law and Dispute Settlement New Problems and Techniques (pp. 57-86). Hart
  • Kirkham R (2006) CARICOM and the Role of Regional Organisations in the Global Legal Order, Global Governance and the Quest for Justice Volume I International and Regional Organisations (pp. 177-198).

Conference proceedings

  • Kirkham RM (2012) The Future of the Ombudsmen Enterprise. The Future of the Ombudsmen Enterprise 10th World Conference of the International Ombudsman Institu. Wellington, New Zealand, 11 July 2012 - 18 July 2012.
  • Kirkham RM () Judicial Review or the Ombudsman: which institution best provides long term administrative advice?. Public Law Project, 6 July 2006 - 10 July 2006.

Reports

  • Kirkham RM & Martin J (2015) The creation of an English Public Services Ombudsman: mapping a way forward.
  • Thomas R, Kirkham RM & Martin J (2013) External Evaluation of the Local Government Ombudsman
  • Kirkham RM (2012) A Review of the Gibraltar Public Services Ombudsman
  • Kirkham RM, Thompson B & Buck T (2008) Public services ombudsmen and administrative justice: models, roles, methods and relationships
  • Kirkham RM (2007) The Parliamentary Ombudsman: Withstanding the test of time

Digital content

  • Kirkham RM (2015) Mapping a new world of accredited ADR schemes.
  • Kirkham RM (2015) Analysis: Not there yet but some ombudsman reform buses have come into sight.
  • Kirkham RM (2014) Analysis: Richard Kirkham on the Governments plans for consumer ADR: Innovation or more of the same.
  • Kirkham RM (2014) Lessons in watchdog design from Scotland and Wales.
  • Kirkham RM (2014) The creation of an English Public Services Ombudsman: mapping a way forward.
  • Kirkham RM (2014) Another false dawn, or the moment ADR becomes mainstream?.
  • Kirkham RM (2009) The Ombudsmen Enterprise and Administrative Justice: an academic viewpoint.
  • Kirkham RM (2007) Researching Public Services Ombudsmen and Administrative Justice.

Other

  • Kirkham RM (2015) Submitted evidence to the Assembly for Wales (Finance Committee) Inquiry into the powers of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales.
  • Kirkham RM (2015) Submitted evidence to the Cabinet Office's Consultation on A Public Service Ombudsman.
  • Thompson B, Kirkham RM & Buck T (2013) Submitted evidence to the Parliamentary Inquiry of the Public Administration Select Committee.
  • Thompson B, Kirkham RM & Buck T (2013) Submitted evidence to the Parliamentary Inquiry of the Public Administration Select Committee.
  • Kirkham RM (2011) Consultation response to the Law Commissions Public Services Ombudsmen paper.
  • Kirkham RM & James R (2002) Oral evidence to the Committee on Standards in Public Life.
  • Kirkham RM (2002) Written evidence to the Committee on Standards in Public Life, 2.
Research group
  • Administrative Justice
  • Ombudsmen
  • Public Law
Grants

Title/Description: Challenging the ombudsman: Are current review processes fit for purpose?

  • Awarding Body: Nuffield Foundation
  • People Involved: Kirkham, R.
  • Years Funded for: 2017-2018
  • Amount: 瞿83,491

Title/Description: Legal Transplants and Public Service Bargains: Explaining Civil Service Performance and Reform in Jamaica and Trinidad-Tobago

  • Awarding Body: British Academy: International Partnership and Mobility Scheme
  • People Involved: Stirton, L., Kirkham, R., and Lodge, M.
  • Years Funded for: 2013-2015
  • Amount: 瞿29,864

Title/Description: Public Services ombudsmen and administrative justice: models, roles, methods and relationships

  • Awarding Body: Swindon: Economic and Social Research Council
  • People Involved: Kirkham, R., Thompson, B. and Buck, T.
  • Years Funded for: 2007-2008
  • Amount: 瞿77,115
Teaching interests

I received a Teaching Excellence Award in 2015 in recognition of sustained high quality teaching, various examples of innovative teaching and best practice in the School of Law, and for my work in leading the review of our undergraduate qualifying law degrees.

Teaching activities

The module I teach are:

Undergraduate

  • Law and Accountability
  • Advanced Constitutional Law
  • Advanced Administrative Law (Convenor)
Professional activities and memberships
  • Editor of Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law
  • Member of British and Irish Ombudsman Association
  • Witness for the Committee on Standards in Public Life

Recent Invited Papers and Keynote Lectures

  • The Public Service Ombudsman (Wales) Bill: comparisons with the global model The Ombudsman in a decade of public policy change, Ombudsman Association, University of Aberwsywth (28 October 2016)
  • Legal Transplants, Public Sector Bargains and the Ombudsman Public sector bargains in Jamaica, University of West Indies (25 October 2016)
  • Brexit and Judicial Power Workshop on the Miller case University of Liverpool (October 2016)
  • Demanding More of Judicial Reasoning Reform Public Law Now conference, University of Sussex, (September 2016)
  • Problems with justice and ADR, ADR and Justice Conference, University of Oxford, 18-20 April 2016.
  • Building a Legal Database for the Ombudsman Sector, Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education, Reading, March 2016.
  • Insights from the UK: What has the ADR Directive done for the Ombudsman model?, Transformation of Consumer Dispute Resolution in the EU workshop, University of Leicester, September 2015.
  • Evaluating Ombudsman Schemes in the Round, Trusting the middle man: Impact and Legitimacy of Ombudsmen, University of Oxford, April 2014.