LW214-6-FY-CO:
Family Law
2023/24
Essex Law School
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Undergraduate: Level 6
ReassessmentOnly
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 28 June 2024
30
14 September 2022
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
What are the legal implications of family breakdown when the parties are married? Or when they are civil partners? How does this change if they have children?
Examine key features of family law including the protective function of law (for example, in relation to domestic abuse and to child protection), the adjustive function of law (for example, in relation to the adjustment of property rights), and the rights and responsibilities of family members.
1. To introduce students to the main features of Family Law in England and Wales
2. To introduce students to a range of status relationships exist within the `family`, and the rights and responsibilities of family members
3. To foster an understanding of the protective function of law, particularly in relation to domestic abuse and child protection
4. To foster an understanding of the adjustive function of law, particularly in relation to property rights on relationship breakdown
5. To foster an understanding of the social and policy issues that underpin the law
Students will demonstrate:
1. An understanding of the main features of Family Law in England and Wales
2. An ability to analyse and evaluate the law in light of legal, social, and political considerations
3. Skills in critical analysis and synthesis
4. An ability to structure a reasoned argument, supported by reference to appropriate primary and secondary sources
This module introduces students to the main features of Family Law in England and Wales. It aims to provide students with knowledge and understanding of the various status relationships which exist (e.g. spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, parent) and of the consequences which flow from them.
The module examines, in particular, the legal implications of family breakdown whether the parties are married, in a civil partnership or are cohabiting, and whether or not they have children.
The course considers not only the rights and responsibilities of family members but also the protective function of family law, in particular the law relating to domestic abuse and child protection.
As well as giving students a good grounding in law, the module aims to foster understanding of the social and policy issues which underpin the law. Family Law is a rapidly developing subject that deals with the trials and tribulations of the human condition. For these reasons it is a challenging, but fascinating, subject.
This module is taught via two-hour weekly lectures and the tutorials are taught by the lecturer each week, which explore key legal concepts and answer your questions about the topics. The module teaching team will also produce and make available on Moodle short guidance notes. These notes will introduce the material to be covered in the lectures and required readings. The notes will also contain tips designed both to help you navigate the material to be covered in the lectures and equip you to analyse the required readings. You will be expected to have completed the required readings in advance of your tutorials. Your tutorials will enable you to discuss the material covered in lectures and the required readings, obtain feedback on your pre-class preparation and deepen your understanding of key concepts. To help you prepare in the best possible way for your tutorials, you will be completing regular Multiple-Choice Quizzes on Moodle. The quizzes will be based on the reading set for that week so that the quiz forms part of your preparation for each tutorial. The quizzes will enable you to track your progress, understand what you are doing well, and give you clear feedback to help you manage your studies and your progress.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Exam |
Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during Summer (Main Period)
|
| Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during September (Reassessment Period)
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Ms Penelope Brearey-Horne, email: pbrear@essex.ac.uk.
Ms Penelope Brearey-Horne, Dr Jo Harwood, Ms Liz Fisher-Frank, Dr Laure Sauve
Law UG Education Administrators: lawschoolug@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
Yes
Prof Daniel Monk
Birkbeck University of London
Professor of Law
Available via Moodle
Of 948 hours, 54 (5.7%) hours available to students:
867 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
27 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Essex Law School
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