Family Law and Relationships

LAWS30771 Family Law and Relationships 20 Semester 1 Undergraduate Level 3 Isabel Lamont Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 10.0 This unit focuses on the law regulating family life and relationships, both formally and informally created. It considers the challenges in using law in the context of family life, as opposed to law in other contexts. The module covers the formalities in the creation of marriage and civil partnerships, and the difference between these legally managed relationships from other forms of family relationship. It considers the issue of family abuse and the specific remedies for domestic abuse and forced marriage. It also examines the law relating to the granting of a divorce, and the property consequences of relationship breakdown where the family assets have to be divided on divorce, or at the end of a cohabitation relationship. It considers the approach to family justice in England and Wales, and the encouragement of the mediation of private family disputes. The course will cover the following topics:Legal recognition of family relationships and family forms including heterosexual and homosexual relationshipsFormalities and essential elements of marriage; cohabitation; civil partnershipsFamily abuse and protection, including domestic abuse and forced marriage Divorce and the property consequences of relationship breakdown                                   Family Dispute Resolution To critique the role of the law in regulating family relationships and identify the social policy objectives underpinning family lawTo develop research, critical and analytical skills in identifying major policy concerns as they appear in family legislation, and to evaluate the current law and proposed reforms Students should be able to identify the difficulty in defining and regulating the family through law and legal processes.Students should be able to discuss the policies underpinning family law in England and Wales and critique the current legal frameworks.Students should be able to reflect academic commentary to highlight the impact of the wider social context on the practise of family law. Students should know the fundamental principles governing the regulation of family relationships in England and WalesStudents should know and apply the relevant statutory materials and case lawStudents should be familiar with law reform processes as it pertains to the family Students should be able to analyse legal and socio-legal information and recognise its implications and assumptions to draw links between social policy and legislationStudents should be able to analyse case law to critique judicial interpretation of law and policyStudents should be able to evaluate and criticise the dominant legal and social models in law of family relationshipStudents should present effective written and oral argument analysing the legal problems affecting family life Three hours of lectures a week, provision of online feedback/clarification sessions (optional), 5 one hour seminars 1 Written exam 100% Online open book examination. Choice of 2 questions from 6 available. Submission of answers 7 days after publication through Blackboard. 1500 word limit on each answer declared on the paper. Y Lamont, R. (editor) Family Law (OUP 2018). Lectures 30 Seminars 5 0 162.7 Restricted to: Students in the School of Social Sciences studying at level 3This course is available to incoming study abroad students providing they have some knowledge of the law.Timetable See Law School timetable