
Miss Katie Mccay
BA, LLM, MA (Cantab)
Current positions
Lecturer in Law
University of Bristol Law School
Contact
Press and media
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Research interests
My PhD research considers what private law remedies are available for interference with intangibles. Digitalisation has changed ownership and control of personal assets, something which English law has struggled to properly address. Problems arise because English law relies extensively on possession as a proxy for ownership and intangibles cannot be possessed under English law. There are also questions about whether certain types of digital assets are property in the first place.
My research considers the extent to which intangibles can be accommodated by existing private law remedies. It asks if the focus of remedies on property and possession is practically and theoretically defensible. This is because some types of commercially valuable intangible assets fall outside the scope of one or both of those criteria. It considers what changes, if any, would be desirable if current remedies do not adequately protect intangibles.
In addition to my research, I teach undergraduate Law of Contract and Commercial Law. I also lecture on Personal Property, Bailment and the Property Torts in the undergraduate Commercial Law course.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
Research Assistant- Vulnerable Consumers
Role
Researcher
Description
I researched English Contract Law's treatment of vulnerable consumers. I considered the definition of a 'vulnerable consumer', how English Contract Law doctrines affect vulnerable consumers and how this interacts with…Managing organisational unit
University of Bristol Law SchoolDates
01/04/2022 to 30/06/2022
Research Assistant- Chen-Wishart, Contract Law (7th ed)
Role
Researcher
Description
I was a research assistant for the 7th edition of Mindy Chen-Wishart's Law of Contract. I researched and summarised new cases for inclusion for the 7th edition. My research assistance…Managing organisational unit
University of Bristol Law SchoolDates
01/06/2021 to 30/09/2021
Research Assistant- Chitty on Contracts (34th ed)
Role
Researcher
Description
I was a research assistant working on three chapters for Chitty on Contracts (34th ed).
My role predominantly involved researching and summarising new cases and suggesting if and where they…Managing organisational unit
University of Bristol Law SchoolDates
01/04/2021 to 30/06/2021
Publications
Selected publications
01/07/2021An Expressive Theory of Possession
The Cambridge Law Journal
Robot Rules
Journal of Professional Negligence
Recent publications
05/09/2023Property and Remedies in the Case of Interference with Cryptoassets: A View from England and Wales
Property Law Perspectives VIII
What private law remedies exist for the interference with cryptocurrencies?
An Expressive Theory of Possession
The Cambridge Law Journal
Robot Rules
Journal of Professional Negligence