Tilly’s work focuses on the area of education and charity law with an emphasis on socio-legal, law-in-society approaches. She is particularly interested in fee-paying independent schools, their impact on society, and the implications of their charitable status. Her work critically explores this intersection of charity law and education, considering the impact of legal charitable status.

She is currently working on projects encompassing this intersection of charity law and education, considering the impact of legal charitable status. Other projects include an analysis of the charitable regulatory framework, including the role of the Charity Commission for England and Wales, levels of oversight and trustee duties and rights. These projects also map onto a current project, where she is exploring the implications of The Labour Party’s reform of independent school’s taxation advantages, including the consequences for the state sector.

Tilly’s research is not just restricted to fee-charging independent schools. She researches more broadly within charity law and trusts law. Currently, this involves a project about the political purposes of charitable trusts. In addition, she has also previously researched children’s rights, including work on the EU Settlement Scheme and the implications on migrant children’s rights.

Charity law, non-profit research, charity governance

Education law and policy, socio-legal approaches to elite education

Equity & trusts, feminist perspectives to trust law

Legal Theory and Legal History

2024-25

Module Co-Ordinator for Legal Theory (UG)

Equity and Trusts (UG)

Previously, Tilly taught various modules at UG and PG levels at the University of Liverpool, including a charity-law-specific module, ‘Debates in Charity Law’. She has also guest lectured at Edge Hill University.

Tilly has a wealth of experience in teaching outside of a UG/PG context. She has been involved with the IntoUniversity charity, educating 10-18 year olds about law and encouraging them to go to university.

Tilly is currently the Early Career Researcher Representative on the Staff Research Board in the School of Law.

She has also been a member of the Student Recruitment team since 2023. This has involved attending and presenting at various outreach activities with employers and schools, including recruitment events at a school level.