Research
My academic research concerns the impact of laws on the decision-making processes and behaviours of owners of strata property and the like worldwide. This involves strata in Australia, condominiums in the USA, and leasehold/commonhold blocks in the UK.
DPhil (Law) — Oxford, 2026
Towering Tragedies: Property Law and Decision-Making in High-Risk Multi-Owned Properties
This research compares three deadly building disasters: Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong (2025), Champlain Towers South in Florida (2021), and Grenfell Tower in England (2017). It asks why warnings about safety risks weren't acted on in time to stop each tragedy. By studying the laws in each country, the project examines who was responsible for raising the alarm, who had the power to act, and why that didn't happen. The goal is to find common legal gaps and suggest reforms — work that's especially timely given England's current debate over leasehold and commonhold housing laws.
MPhil Thesis — UNSW, 2024
The Evolution of the Anticommons
This thesis looks at mixed-use buildings — those with shops, offices and apartments under one roof. It shows how these buildings can become "anticommons property," where too many owners with veto rights make it almost impossible to sell or redevelop the site, even when it's run-down. Using a Sydney case study, a review of 12 buildings, and interviews with strata lawyers, the thesis identifies seven specific rights that create this gridlock. It concludes that lawmakers need to step in, or these buildings risk becoming permanent, unfixable eyesores.
Honours/Postgraduate Thesis
Exploring Due Diligence and Gatekeeping Activities in the Strata Environment
This study looks at the information buyers actually get before purchasing a strata property, and whether it's enough. It reviews strata laws in NSW, Queensland and Victoria, then checks real inspection reports and certificates against a due diligence checklist. The findings show that buyers often aren't given the full picture — some important risks stay hidden. The study also finds evidence that governments and strata managers sometimes act as "gatekeepers," withholding or obstructing access to information buyers need to make a safe, informed decision.
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