Course Resources Archive

This module examines the legal regulation of domestic relations between adults and the private law relating to disputes about children.

The essentials of a valid marriage, void and voidable marriages, family property during marriage (including rights of occupation of the matrimonial home and implied constructive and resulting trusts of the matrimonial home), divorce, matrimonial finance and property on divorce, cohabitation and protection against domestic violence and abuse; parental responsibility and children’s rights; private law relating to children including residence and contact orders, prohibited steps orders, and specific dispute orders; dispute resolution.

i. Knowledge and Understanding

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

a) Demonstrate a sound knowledge and understanding of those aspects of family law identified in the content summary above.

b) Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the social and political policy considerations which shape the law e.g. in relation to the distinction made between cohabitants and married couples in relation to rights in the family home and protection from domestic abuse; the importance attached to the best interests of the child.

c) Demonstrate an understanding of proposed areas of law reform e.g. property rights of cohabitants.

ii. Skills

By the end of the module students should have developed skills in:

a) Application and problem solving

Able to apply the legal principles studied to a range of complex family law based problems and present well supported conclusions

b) Sources and research

Able to identify sources for research and establish a strategy for research using standard research tools

c) Analysis, evaluation, critical judgement and synthesis

Able to analyse complex problems in the areas of family law studied to identify the legal principles to be applied

d) Autonomy and ability to learn

Able to carry out reading and study with limited staff guidance

Able to manage and plan their workload

e) Communication and literacy

Able to communicate more complex legal issues clearly, both orally and in writing, using legal terminology correctly

f) Other key skills

IT — able to use electronic sources for research and to present an accurately word processed text

Team working — able to work in a group as a participant who contributes effectively to the group's task

Numeracy — able for example to calculate the net effect of proposed financial settlements on divorce.

Staff/student contact 25%
Student independent study 75%

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.