730-313 Family Law

Legal Method and Reasoning; Principles of Public Law; Torts; Legal Theory; Property or in each case their equivalents.

The central aim of this subject is to get you to consider how, why and in whose interests the law intervenes in family relationships. In particular, we will examine and critically evaluate the ways in which the law constructs the family, privileges certain family forms, and regulates the relationships between couples, and between parents and children. The course focuses particularly on the context of relationship breakdown, which is the main area of family law regulation. The course aims to develop your understanding not only of 'black letter' law (case law and statute), but also of family law in its broader social context, including an understanding of the processes of social policy reform. The subject is divided into three topic areas: (i) overview of the family law system; (ii) children and parents and; (iii) financial aspects of relationship breakdown.

Reflective essay 1500 words 40% (due week 7) and a final open-book examination two hours 60%.

Printed Materials will be issued by the Faculty of Law

• Act, Family Law Act. (Cth), 1975.