Module Overview

Family law involves the study of how familial relationships are regulated by law. This includes the legal regulation of adult intimate relationships, of familial relationships between adults and children, and of the relationship between the state and family members in times of crisis or incapacity. Legal regulation of family relationships generally reflects social understandings of the nature of family life, and as a result the subject has a necessarily socio-legal flavour. This module takes a contextual approach to family law, emphasising the links between legal regulation and social practice, encouraging students to both understand and evaluate the legal rules governing this most intimate aspect of social life. The Family law module divided into two discrete parts:

• The regulation and recognition of intimate relationships between adults, and in particular their formation and breakdown, and
• The care of children

This module addresses Programme Learning Outcomes (PLO) 1 - 8 and contributes to assessment of PLO 1,2,3,4,6 7,8.