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.
What does Family Law concern?
- Introduction to family law. What is the legal family? Family diversity and alternatives to marriage.
- Alternative concepts of family: The sociological family.
Marriage: Formation and Breakdown
- Marriage formation: The definition of marriage
- Nullity of marriage
- Judicial separation and separation agreements
- Divorce
- Ancillary orders on judicial separation and divorce
- Civil partnership and cohabitation
- Maintenance and child support
- Domestic violence
Child Law
- The role of Human and Constitutional Rights in shaping the relationship between children, family and the state
- Disputes about children: Guardianship, custody and access
- Adoption
- Children in care: Foster care and residential care
- Children in crisis: Care proceedings Miscellaneous
- Transnational family issues and conflicts of law
- Child abduction
- Alternative dispute Resolution: Mediation and collaborative law
What does Family Law concern?
1. Introduction to family law. What is the legal family? Family diversity and alternatives to marriage.2. Alternative concepts of family: The sociological family.
Marriage: Formation and Breakdown
3. Marriage formation: The definition of marriage4. Nullity of marriage5. Judicial separation and separation agreements6. Divorce7. Ancillary orders on judicial separation and divorce8. Civil partnership and cohabitation9. Maintenance and child support10. Domestic violence
Child Law
11. The role of Human and Constitutional Rights in shaping the relationship between children, family and the state12. Disputes about children: Guardianship, custody and access13. Adoption14. Children in care: Foster care and residential care15. Children in crisis: Care proceedings
Miscellaneous
16. Transnational family issues and conflicts of law17. Child abduction18. Alternative dispute Resolution: Mediation and collaborative law
Interactive lectures
Self-directed learning
Group study and group discussion
Student presentations
Guest lecturers
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 60 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 40 |