Unit information: Family Law 1: Adult Relationships in 2020/21

Unit name	Family Law 1: Adult Relationships
Unit code	LAWD20047
Credit points	20
Level of study	I/5
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Short
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	University of Bristol Law School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

The unit aims to develop students’ understanding of Family Law and the foundational elements of the Family Justice System in relation to adult relationships i.e. how the law regulates adult family relationships and the use of law to resolve disputes between adult family members within families. The particular topics included relate to the creation and dissolution of family relationships (e.g. marriage, civil partnership and divorce), the extent to which individuals are able to make their own financial arrangements for themselves or their children when entering or leaving formal or informal relationships (e.g. marriage/civil partnership/cohabitation) and the protection of family members from abuse. The unit will address issues relating to the role of solicitors, mediators and the courts in assisting the resolution of these family disputes. The unit will also develop students’ skills in analysing and evaluating legal developments and policy initiatives relating to adult family relationships within families.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit a successful student will be able to:

• Explain the legal provisions for the creation of adult family relationships and for the dissolution of those relationships.
• Discuss the way family law and the family justice system operates to resolve disputes about the relationships between adults.
• Select and employ relevant statutory provisions and case law to provide advice on legal issues and problems in relation to the creation and dissolution of adult family relationships.
• Analyse and critique the way in which the law responds to particular issues in relation to the creation and dissolution of adult family relationships.

Teaching Information

Teaching will be delivered through a variety of asynchronous and synchronous activities

Assessment Information

1 x summative assessment: coursework with a specified word count (100%)

The assessment will assess all of the intended learning outcomes for this unit.

Reading and References

Because the law on Adult Relationships is a fast moving subject, students should use the latest edition of the assigned textbooks. Page references will be given for the texts listed below.

• Jonathan Herring, Family Law (9^th ed, Longman, 2019)
• Stephen Gilmore and Lisa Glennon, Hayes and Williams’ Family Law (6^th ed, OUP, 2018)
• Gillian Douglas and Nigel Lowe, Bromley’s Family Law (11^th ed, OUP, 2015)
• Joanna Miles, Rob George and Sonia Harris-Short, Family Law Text, Cases and Materials (4^th ed, OUP, 2019)

Other books students may be referred to from time to time or otherwise wish to consult include:

• Herring, Probert and Gilmore, Great Debates in Family Law (Palgrave Macmillan, 2015)
• George, Ideas and Debates in Family Law (Hart, 2012)
• Kanagas and Diduck, Family Law, Gender and the State (Hart, 2012)
• Eekelaar and Maclean, Family Justice (Hart 2013)
• Child and Family Law Quarterly (Lexis Nexis)
• Family Law (Lexis Nexis)
• Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law (Taylor and Francis Online)