module specification

LL6009 - Family and Child Law (2020/21)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2020/21
Module status DELETED (This module is no longer running)
Module title Family and Child Law
Module level Honours (06)
Credit rating for module 30
School Guildhall School of Business and Law
Total study hours 300
 
81 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
219 hours Guided independent study
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Coursework 50%   Research-Based Essay (2,500 - 3,000 words)
Unseen Examination 50%   Online exam: 3 days to submit paper via Turnitin. Max 1,500 words per question
Running in 2020/21

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
Period Campus Day Time Module Leader
Year North Monday Afternoon

Module summary

This module aims to provide students with knowledge and a critical perspective of the legal principles relating to both Family Law and Child Law, especially in the context of recent and proposed reforms.

In Family Law, the topics covered are marriage, family breakdown in the context of nullity and divorce, domestic violence and financial remedies.

In Child Law, the topics covered are the role and involvement of local authorities, and private law issues, such as disputes about paternity, relocation, contact orders and assisted reproduction.

Syllabus

1. Family Law                          LO 1 and 2

What is a Family?
Cohabitation
Nullity
Divorce
Domestic Violence
Financial Remedies.

2. Child Law                             LO 1 and 2

Private Law disputes concerning children
Local Authorities and Families
Assisted Reproduction and Parenthood

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

Learning & Teaching Strategy

Weekly two-hour lecture and one-hour seminar. 

The lecture will be used for:

Dissemination of knowledge through an overview of each topic with detailed guidance on appropriate aspects;
An introduction to relevant academic literature;
Guidance on learning strategies;
Use of blackboard and IT resources;
Whole group questions and discussion.

The seminar will be used for:

Development of skills necessary to attain the module learning outcomes through:
Written and oral questions/answers designed to reinforce fundamental rules/principles/cases;
A range of step by step writing exercises;
IT tasks such as research of cases and statutes
Problem-solving
Critical analysis
Legal writing
Oral presentation
Oral communication
Teamwork

Blended Learning

All learning materials, previous examination questions and sample Q/A’s will be on blackboard for use in directed private study.

Student engagement will be encouraged in both lectures and seminars through weekly use of Weblearn for access to all of the above materials.

There will be required use of the professional legal databases, especially Westlaw and Lexis Library, for legal research

Opportunities for reflective learning/pdp

Each weekly seminar will contain space for students to reflect on what they have learnt in relation to the overall syllabus. There will be frequent feedback opportunities structured into the timetable and a range of sample answers posted onto Weblearn.

Employability

Employability strategy will aim to acquaint students with a range of employment avenues both in the legal profession and in those professions into which legal qualifications and skills are transferable.

Student’s Study Responsibilities

The need for attendance, punctuality, preparation and engagement will be emphasised with particular reference to written and IT research, problem-solving, team-work, discussion, debate and critical awareness of the subject

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, the students will be able to:

1. Independently research, evaluate, critically analysis and appraise the legal principles relating to Family and Chid Law.

2. Demonstrate the ability to synthesise complex principles, solve legal problems and analyse contemporary issues relating to Family and Chid Law.

 

Assessment strategy

1. Research-Based Essay (2,500 – 3,000 words)

A written paper consisting of answers to a range of approved questions.

This will demonstrate the ability to research independently, synthesise and analysis information, to identify issues and to provide critical evaluation.

2. Online exam:  3 days to submit paper  via Turnitin. Max 1,500 words per question

Bibliography

Core Text:
Herring, J,  Family Law (Longman Law Series) (Pearson)

Other Texts:

Family Law Statutes
Lowe, N and Gillian Douglas, G, Bromley’s Family Law (OUP)
Gilmore, S and Lisa Glennon, L, Hayes and Williams’ Family Law (OUP)

Journals:

Law Quarterly Review

Electronic Databases:

Westlaw and Lexis Library

Online Resources:

Familylawweek.co.uk