2023/24 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

LAW2330 Family Law

20 creditsClass Size: 144

Module manager: Dr. Zoe Tongue
Email: Z.Tongue@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2023/24

Pre-requisite qualifications

Completion of 40 credits of Law modules at level one.

Pre-requisites

LAW1200

Foundations of Law

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module examines the legal rules and concepts regulating intimate or domestic relationships between adults. The social context in which the law operates will be stressed, in particular the relationship between the law and the changing social structure of the family.

Objectives

In this module we look at the legal rules, concepts and values which govern and regulate intimate or domestic relationships between adults. In broad terms the syllabus covers the formation of family relationships through marriage, civil partnerships and cohabitation. It also considers how family law can protect victims of domestic abuse, the basis for divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships and what happens in relation to disputes over money and property on the breakdown of marriage or civil partnership.

Broadly the approach taken is socio-legal in that you will consider the law within a broader historical, social and political context. You will also develop specific technical skills, particularly in handling statutory material as most of family law is grounded in statute.

Learning outcomes
By the end of this course a student should be able:
- to explain, analyse and evaluate the legal rules, concepts and values governing and regulating intimate or domestic relationships;
- to demonstrate the development of the law, including the institutions and procedures, within a broader historical, demographic and social context;
- to promote critical and informed discussion of the relationship between families and the state, the interface between family law and family policy and the roles of men and women within families, and to introduce the various theoretical perspectives on family law.

Skills outcomes
This module provides provide practice in the development of a number of skills: in particular, the specific skill of locating and applying relevant statutory and case materials to the legal problems which arise when family relationships break down.

Syllabus

Theoretical approaches to family law.
What is the family?
The formation of marriage and civil partnerships.
The legal consequences of marriage, civil partnership and cohabitation.
The protection of family members from domestic abuse.
Relationship breakdown – divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships.
Money and property on divorce and dissolution.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
On-line Learning	5	1.00	5.00
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Seminar	5	1.50	7.50
Private study hours			176.50
Total Contact hours			23.50
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

The online learning element is broken down into 15 minute tasks, there will be 20 x 15 minute tasks overall.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

A formative assessment opportunity will be provided.

Methods of assessment

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Open Book exam	48 hr	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 09/04/2024

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