LW214-6-SP-CO:
Family Law
2024/25
Essex Law School
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
15
01 July 2024
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 that exist within the `family`, and to the rights and responsibilities of family members
3. To foster an understanding of the protective function of law, for example in relation to domestic abuse and child protection
4. To foster an understanding of the adjustive function of law, for example 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 an understanding of various status relationships (e.g. spouse, civil partner, cohabitant, parent) and examines the legal implications of family breakdown.
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 social and policy issues which underpin the law. Family Law 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.
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Exam |
Main exam: Remote, Open Book, 24hr during Early Exams
|
| 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
Dr Samantha Davey, email: smdave@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Sam Davey, Dr Liz Fisher-Frank, Dr Laure Sauvé
The Law Education Admin Team - lawschoolug@essex.ac.uk
Yes
No
Yes
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
Essex Law School
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