LA359-15 Family Law
Introductory description
A fascinating and dynamic module that raises important issues of social policy, focusing on the way that the law regulates entry into, behaviour during, and exit from, certain types of adult relationships; and how the law differentiates between different types of adult relationships.
Module aims
Family law is a fascinating and dynamic subject that raises important issues of social policy. The course focuses on the way that the law regulates entry into, behaviour during, and exit from, certain types of adult relationships. Until relatively recently English law conferred rights on couples only if they were married. Over the last thirty years, however, new rights have been conferred on cohabiting couples (although the rights of such couples remain less extensive than those of their married counterparts), same-sex couples now have the option of entering either into a civil partnership or marriage. One of the fundamental questions addressed in the course is how the law differentiates between different types of adult relationships. Students are encouraged to set the issues in context by reading a wide range of materials and researching the social background to particular legal issues. Students are also encouraged to think about the way in which the law operates in practice.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
What is 'family law' about? How does the law define and regulate different types of families?
Entry into marriage and civil partnership: who can marry or enter into a civil partnership and how do they do so?
Divorce and dissolution: how does the state regulate exit from formal partnerships?
Domestic violence: the protection offered by the law
The division of assets on relationship breakdown
Cohabitation: the current rights of cohabitants and proposals for reform
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Understand which types of adult relationships are regulated by the law, how, and why.
- Identify the relevant sources of key principles of family law.Understand the operation of family law in society and demonstrate a realistic understanding of the current practice of family law.
- Understand the operation of family law in society and demonstrate a realistic understanding of the current practice of family law.
- Research a topic in family law using paper and electronic resources and specialist legal materials.
- Work collaboratively to complete a defined task within a limited time
- Understand and use legal concepts, policy principles and theoretical ideas in speaking and writing about law and family practice.
- Analyse past, current and future law and policy developments in terms of theoretical issues and in terms of their impact on individuals & families
- Work independently to gain understanding of material and issues in family law without explanatory lectures
Indicative reading list
J. Herring, Family Law (Longman, 7th ed 2015)
R. Probert and M. Harding, Cretney and Probert's Family Law
(Sweet & Maxwell, 9th ed 2015)
S. Gilmore and L. Glennon, Hayes and Williams' Family Law
(OUP, 5th ed 2016)
View reading list on Talis Aspire
Subject specific skills
No subject specific skills defined for this module.
Transferable skills
No transferable skills defined for this module.
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 18 sessions of 1 hour (12%) |
| Seminars | 7 sessions of 1 hour (5%) |
| Private study | 125 hours (83%) |
| Total | 150 hours |
Private study description
No private study requirements defined for this module.
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.
Assessment group B2
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Examination | 100% | No | |
|
This is a 2hr exam to be completed within the given 24hr period. ~Platforms - AEP
|
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Feedback on assessment
Generic exam feedback provided via Moodle, with the option for one to one feedback by student request in October.
Courses
This module is Optional for:
-
UIBA-MN34 Law and Business Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 3 of MN34 Law and Business Studies Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 4 of MN34 Law and Business Studies Four Year (Qualifying Degree)
-
ULAA-M300 Undergraduate Law
- Year 2 of M300 Law
- Year 3 of M300 Law
-
ULAA-M105 Undergraduate Law (3 year) (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 2 of M105 Law (3 year) (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 3 of M105 Law (3 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
ULAA-M106 Undergraduate Law (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 2 of M106 Law (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 3 of M106 Law (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 4 of M106 Law (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
-
ULAA-M104 Undergraduate Law (Year Abroad)
- Year 2 of M104 Law (Year Abroad)
- Year 4 of M104 Law (Year Abroad)
-
ULAA-M108 Undergraduate Law (Year Abroad) (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 2 of M108 Law (Year Abroad) (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 4 of M108 Law (Year Abroad) (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 3 of UIBA-MN31 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies
-
UIBA-MN32 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies
- Year 3 of MN32 Law and Business Studies (Four-Year)
- Year 4 of MN32 Law and Business Studies (Four-Year)
-
UIBA-MN37 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
- Year 2 of MN37 Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of MN37 Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
- Year 5 of MN37 Law and Business Studies (Qualifying Degree) with Intercalated Year
-
UIBA-MN35 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
- Year 3 of MN35 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
- Year 4 of MN35 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (3+1)
-
UIBA-MN36 Undergraduate Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (4+1)
- Year 2 of MN36 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (4+1)
- Year 4 of MN36 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (4+1)
- Year 5 of MN36 Law and Business Studies with Intercalated Year (4+1)
- Year 3 of ULAA-ML33 Undergraduate Law and Sociology
- Year 2 of ULAA-M10A Undergraduate Law with French Law (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 2 of ULAA-M10C Undergraduate Law with German Law (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 3 of ULAA-M110 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (3 Year)
-
ULAA-M113 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (4 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 2 of M113 Law with Humanities (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 3 of M113 Law with Humanities (4 year) (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 2 of ULAA-M115 Undergraduate Law with Social Sciences (3 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
This module is Option list A for:
- Year 4 of ULAA-M10A Undergraduate Law with French Law (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 4 of ULAA-M10C Undergraduate Law with German Law (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 4 of ULAA-M113 Undergraduate Law with Humanities (4 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 3 of ULAA-M115 Undergraduate Law with Social Sciences (3 Year) (Qualifying Degree)
This module is Option list B for:
-
ULAA-ML34 BA in Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 3 of ML34 Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 4 of ML34 Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree)
- Year 5 of ULAA-ML35 BA in Law and Sociology (Qualifying Degree) (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of ULAA-ML33 Undergraduate Law and Sociology
This module is Option list E for:
- Year 2 of UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
This module is Option list G for:
- Year 3 of USX2-Y202 Undergraduate Social Studies [2 + 2]