Module LAW3020 for 2019/0
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
LAW3020: Family Law
This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.
Module Aims
This module aims to provide both research-enriched learning and teaching by academics actively engaged in research which has been used by family law policy makers and links to family law practice, where members of the teaching team practise as and/or engage regularly with family practitioners. Where possible the module includes judges as visiting speakers and judge shadowing opportunities.
It aims to enable students to analyse critically the legal and policy framework for family law and to engage in an assessment of the effectiveness of the current family justice system.
It aims to facilitate debate on proposals for reform of the law regarding the regulation of partnering and parenting at a time when the traditional family is in decline and out of court resolution of family law disputes is being invested in by government.
It aims to encourage students to explore socio-legal research in this area, undertaken by family law specialist academics at Exeter and elsewhere.
It aims to help students develop their oral and negotiation skills in workshops and to expose them to mediation and other styles of conflict resolution procedures.
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. describe and critically evaluate the legal framework and central principles governing adult couple/domestic relationships and parent/child relationships within English family law 2. demonstrate awareness and understanding of current developments in law, policy, feminist critiques and human rights involved in family regulation within national and international legal frameworks and the impact of socio-legal research in this area. 3. demonstrate understanding of how family law and the family justice system operate both for adult family relationships and parent/child relationships. |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of a range of legal concepts, values, principles, institutions and procedures, and the ability to explain the relationships among them 5. demonstrate ability to apply legal knowledge to a problem/ case study and to discuss it 6. demonstrate ability to identify key elements of legal problems, identify their relative significance and select appropriate methods for investigating and evaluating them |
| Personal and Key Skills | 7. effectively use both written and oral communication skills in assessed work and workshops. 8. confidently tackle legal problems by means of a practical problem solving approach in role-play situations, demonstrating effective debating and negotiating skills. 9. demonstrate good library-based and internet-based research skills. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
It is envisaged that the syllabus will include the following topics in the following order although precise content and order may vary.
Lectures on the topics below are complemented by workshops on topics covered scheduled over the two weeks following the lecture
Term 1
Mediation in Family Law disputes
Legal Parentage
Parental Responsibility
Court Resolution of Private Disputes over Children
Public law: Child Protection (assessment and voluntary provisions)
Public law: Child Protection (compulsory orders and emergency provisions)
Term 2
Role of Family Law and the Family Justice System
Family definition and Family Law Marriage and Civil Partnership (CP) Cohabitation Law
Divorce/CP Dissolution and Nullity
Divorce/CP Dissolution and Financial Provision/Property Adjustment Cohabitation and Property issues
Domestic Violence
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 55 | 245 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 46 | 23 x 2 hour Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 9 | 6 x 1.5 hour Workshops |
| Guided Independent study | 120 | Individual reading and lecture preparation |
| Guided Independent study | 35 | Workshop preparation |
| Guided Independent study | 80 | Assessment preparation |
| Guided Independent study | 10 | Formative assessment |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
