Family Law: Children, Parents and the State

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• analyse and assess legal materials by way of statutory interpretation, case analysis and review of secondary materials to identify, comprehend and evaluate fundamental legal principles and their impact upon contemporary issues;
• from a given factual scenario: identify the relevant legal facts and legal issues raised; explain the law applicable to the identified legal issues; apply the relevant law to the given facts; examine uncertainties in the law and its application to the given facts and evaluate alternative approaches and arguments; provide adequate support by reference to legal authority;
• identify and locate primary and secondary legal sources relevant to family law, specifically those pertaining to regulation of the relationships between children, family and the State;
• communicate in writing an understanding of family law, its application to the solution of legal problems and the formulation of effective argument with clear and accurate use of language and legal terminology and demonstrating an appreciation of academic integrity.
• produce effective, reasoned and structured responses to a given statement or proposition, which are adequately supported by reference to legal authority;

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the importance of procedure and its relationship with the substantive law;
• the nature and value of 'discretionary justice';
• the family traditions and values of other societies, and minorities in British society, as a method of introducing a comparative law perspective and recognising human rights issues;
• relevant policy documents on law reform, including consultation papers and reports from Government departments and the Law Commission.
• the main areas of law governing family life primarily concerning relationships between children, parents and the State;
• the role of socio-legal research;
• historical influences on the current law;

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• formulate an effective, reasoned and structured argument;
• analyse, interpret and evaluate complex material;
• communicate and present written arguments supported by appropriate evidence.
• effectively apply knowledge to solve practical problems;

• Children and family law
• Child welfare
• Children’s rights
• Defining parenthood
• Parent-child relationships
• Parental responsibility
• Private disputes over children (private law orders)
• International relocation
• Child protection and the State (public law orders)
• Adoption
• Human rights and family law – this will be incorporated throughout the course and highlighted under specific topics.

Teaching methods include:

Teaching will be delivered by way of lectures and tutorials

The lectures will provide you with an overview of each substantive topic, highlighting key issues. Reading lists provided in advance will outline critical issues, required reading, questions and guidance for further study. Tutorials will provide you with an opportunity to address specific family law issues relevant to the module in greater detail.

The tutorials are intended as occasions for detailed discussion of specific topics within the broader areas covered in lectures, and you are expected to come fully prepared. Reading and questions for preparation will be placed on Blackboard in advance of each tutorial. Tutorials are also occasions for you to raise problems and questions and to obtain feedback on your progress.

Teaching methods include:

• Lectures to provide knowledge and information within a structured context;
• Small group tutorial work focused on problem solving skills and development of reasoned argument;
• Advance study is required for the tutorials and active participation required by all members of the group.

Attendance at Lectures will develop:

• The structure of the subject and key applicable substantive principles and rules of law in this field;
• Appreciation of constructive criticism of the law by consideration of key areas of controversy and doubt regarding the regulation of family life, with regard to children, parents and the State;
• Proposals for reform in select areas of Family Law.

Preparation for Tutorials will develop:

• Knowledge of the substantive principles and rules of Family Law, as they relate to children, parents and the State;
• Ability to manage and access diverse range of sources of law, especially statutory material and case law, many on-line;
• Ability to critically evaluate those sources and participate constructively in oral discussions concerning them;
• Ability to structure and express thoughts in logically coherent way;
• Ability to apply those materials to problem solving exercises;
• Time management and research skills.

Learning activities include:

• Directed reading assisted by reading lists and availability of materials on Blackboard;
• Accessing electronic resources in the form of legislation, journals and case materials;
• Reviewing and evaluating complex material;
• Tackling and solving factual legal problems;
• Formulating and presenting in oral and written form reasoned and structured arguments through formative tutorial activities and assessment.

Engagement with the lecture sessions, from ‘active listening’ to asking specific questions on the materials in order to ensure you have understood what is being presented to you, both during and after the lectures.

Preparation for and participation in the tutorials. As noted above, the tutorials are opportunities to test out your knowledge and understanding, and to discuss specific issues, problems and points of uncertainty. Preparation for and participation in the tutorials will develop:

• Your ability to discuss key principles and their limitations with your peers and tutor;
• Your ability to develop and sustain reasoned arguments, in general and in relation to specific (often hypothetical) problem scenarios;
• Your ability to manage a range of sources, to review and evaluate complex material;
• Your time management and research skills.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Mock Examination

• Assessment Type: Formative
• Feedback: Your tutor will provide individual feedback on your work, and thematic feedback regarding the cohort will also be placed on Blackboard. Follow up discussions are available with your tutor, to discuss feedback and ways in which you can improve.
• Final Assessment: No
• Group Work: No

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.