Sources of family law and how to access them; courts and personnel involved in family law.

Types of family structures: cohabitation, marriage and civil partnership and how these are formed; key differences between them in terms of legal rights and obligations.

The law of divorce and dissolution under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 and Civil Partnership Act, and suggestions for reform.

Divorce procedure.

Financial relief during marriage, and ancillary relief provision under Matrimonial Causes Act 1973. The law on domestic violence
The Children Act 1989: Concept of parenthood, parental responsibility, orders available both privately and in public law, and principles applied by courts in making orders.

Impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 on family law.

An EXAM length 1.5 HOURS weighted at 100%.


1. Stage 1: students will be required to read preliminary documents and listen to a taped scenario, and then prepare guidance to a client working in groups.

2. Stage 2: Exam (final assessment): students will sit a 1.5 hour unseen examination and in timed conditions give advice to a client (will assess Learning Outcomes 1-4)

Formative assessment: class discussions and debates provide opportunities for both tutor and peer feedback. Students will gain detailed individual feedback on pieces of written homework, completed worksheets, and on their findings to research activities. Individual tutorials provide additional opportunities to offer guidance and constructive feedback, to support learners in achieving their full potential.

Whole group sessions: Classes meet 3 hours weekly over 15 weeks. Students receive lectures and are expected to take comprehensive notes. Questions are invited. 45 hours

Study Centre activities: Students are given research tasks to perform independently, and are intended to be able to report back with their findings to the whole group. 35 hours

Group activities: Students are encouraged to work together in solving problem questions on family law. The group should allocate a spokesperson who will report back to the whole class. 35 hours

Directed learning: Students are given substantial reading assignments, and are expected to engage in independent research and assignment preparation. 35 hours

ESSENTIAL TEXTS: Standley, K. Family Law (Palgrave Macmillan Law Masters), (8th Edition 2013)

Herring, J Family Law (Longman Law Series) (7th ed. Longman 2015)

Duffield, Kempton, Sabine Family Law and Practice 2012 (College of Law 2012)

Black, Bridge, Bond and Gribbon. A Practical Approach to Family Law (9th ed. OUP 2012)

Library - Law reports and journals
Internet
Lexis Nexis and Westlaw

www.legislation.org http://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/procedure-rules/family http://www.cafcass.gov.uk/
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/DG_10012311 (Child Support Agency)

http://www.legalservices.gov.uk/about_legal_aid.asp

1. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANING OF KEY FAMILY LAW PRINCIPLES: MARRIAGE, NULLITY, DIVORCE, ANCILLARY RELIEF AND THE LAW RELATING TO CHILDREN.
Learning

2. EMPLOY FAMILY LAW PRINCIPLES TO SOLVE PRACTICAL PROBLEM SCENARIOS INDIVIDUALLY AND IN GROUPS AND BE ABLE TO ANALYSE THE APPROPRIATENESS OF DIFFERENT APPROACHES.
Problem Solving

3. COMMUNICATE LAW AND PROCEDURES TO A CLIENT IN A SIMULATED SETTING AND GIVE CLEAR AND SIMPLE ADVICE
Communication

4. DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF SOME METHODS OF ENQUIRY IN THE FIELD OF FAMILY LAW AND BE ABLE TO COMMENT UPON CURRENT ISSUES IN THIS AREA INCLUDING SUGGESTIONS FOR REFORM.
Enquiry