In the first part of the programme we consider the various sorts of domestic partnership, and their birth, life, and death. Issues covered include:-
- Domestic Partnership Contracts
- Property Rights
- Family Homes & Domestic Violence
- Nullity & Judicial Separation
- Divorce
- Financial Orders on Divorce
- Child Support
In the second part of the programme the focus is on providing an understanding of the relationship which obtains amongst children, parents and the state:
- Parental Responsibility & Children's Rights
- Children in "Family Proceedings"
- Local Authorities - Support & Intervention
- Adoption and Special Guardianship
- Abduction of Children
- Assisted Reproduction and Surrogacy in the Context of Family Law

WHOLE GROUP SESSIONS -these will be used to introduce new topics in the programme and to disseminate general information as well as providing guidance for small group sessions. New topics introduced in these sessions will be developed further in the discussions and in the work undertaken in small group sessions.

SMALL GROUP SESSIONS - these will be used as a forum in which specific topics and the results of preparatory study can be discussed , although they may also include other learning activities designed to improve research, presentational, and communication skills (10x1-hour sessions). The emphasis in these sessions is on student interaction.

DIRECTED STUDY & SELF-MANAGED STUDY - this will play an important part in this module, and participants will be asked to undertake reading and study tasks prior to the small-group sessions, and to reflect on work done in those sessions as a major part of their preparation for the assessment.

TOTAL LEARNING HOURS - 300 HOURS

The Study Guide and associated materials.
The module Blackboard page.
Appropriate texts, legislation, cases and journals.
Computing facilities (necessary to access materials on the web and specialist online databases.) List all resources required to delivery this module.

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the key aspects of the English law on children, parenting and domestic partnerships.
Knowledge and Understanding

2. Demonstrate an ability to place English family law within other relevant legal areas
Reflection

3. Demonstrate an ability to analyse legal situations arising from the formation, duration and failure of these relationships.
Analysis

4. Apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding and devise and sustain arguments, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of the discipline.
Application

5. Conduct appropriate independent research and study, both paper and IT based, demonstrating a high level of information literacy.
Enquiry

6. Communicate and analyse information, ideas, problems, and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences with emphasis on effective written communication
Communication

Herring J. Family Law. (Longman 2017)

Gilmore, S, and L. Glennon Hayes and Williams Family Law. (Sweet and Maxwell 2016)

End of Semester 1 assignment of maximum length 3,000 words weighted at 50%. It will assess learning outcomes1-6

End of Semester 2 two-hour online examination unseen weighted at 50%. It will assess learning outcomes 1-5.

Additional Assessment Details:
Working towards the assessment tasks will be a key element of the learning, and tutors will be available to guide students through the process. Face to face contact sessions focussed on assessment activities will be scheduled into the timetable.

You will explore how the law responds to the family and the individual within it. The module looks at happy times: marriage, birth, and at sadder times: divorce and infertility. You will discuss the desperate and dangerous situation: domestic violence and child protection as well as ‘safe and content’. This is an area where the law has changed significantly in recent years and where more change is inevitable. You will find this a fascinating subject where your own experiences and views will be treated sensitively.