LC4H069 - Family Law and Practice 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2027 | Version 3

Associated Module Information

Module Code: LC4H069
Module Title: Family Law and Practice
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Law
Faculty Sub Group: Law
Module Leader: Gemma Sweetman
Module Team: Hayley Brain
First Intended Intake: SEP 2015 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 10 Credit Level: 7
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100692 - legal practice
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 3
Valid From 01 Sep 2020
Valid To 31 Aug 2027

Module Aims

The module is designed to enable students to further develop the skills, knowledge and application of Family Law and Practice, by requiring them to advise on issues and undertake tasks which would be expected of a trainee solicitor in a Family Law seat.

Content Summary

The module comprises four main elements:

Element 1 –

- Dissolution of marriage and its consequences; the law relating to divorce and procedure, its impact on society, cost implications and reform.

Element 2 –Domestic Violence Injunctions:

- Domestic violence and procedure; the protection from violence, molestation and harassment for partners and children, an analysis of the interaction of civil and criminal law and the impact of human rights legislation on ex parte applications.

Element 3 –Children Act Proceedings:

- Parental responsibility including s.8 orders under the Children Act 1989 and procedure; Child Arrangement Orders following relationship breakdown and the impact of human rights legislation on the concept of the ‘welfare principle’ in the Children Act.

Element 4 –Financial Provision Proceedings:

- Financial provision and procedure; the calculation of maintenance, capital and property adjustment orders, and financial provision for children under the Children Act and the Child Support Act.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 6
Seminar 18
Independent Study 52
Directed Study 24
Total Hours Selected 100

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 To demonstrate good, accurate knowledge understanding and skills of family law and practice and employ the applicable skills in this area.
LO2 Use legal knowledge and skill to identify the client’s objectives and the different means of achieving those objectives having regard to financial, commercial and personal priorities and constraints, costs, benefits and risks.
LO3 To identify the overall nature of the transaction, plan or progress that transaction or matter through a series of steps and decisions including, where appropriate, drafting documentation.
LO4 To demonstrate a good understanding of the key ethical requirements contained in the Solicitors Regulation Authority Principles of Regulation and Code of Conduct, understand where these may impact and be able to apply them in context.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) Onsite Open Book Examination 1 Time Constrained 180 3000 100 No 50

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Onsite Open Book Examination 1

Reading List

Course materials:
- Family Law and Practice textbook
- Solicitors' Code of Conduct
Supporting course materials:
- Workbook
Other suggested reading:
- Family Law & Practice, Nancy Duffield, Jacqueline Kempton and Christa Sabine (College of Law Publishing),
- Butterworths Family Law Service: Volumes 1 -7 (Butterworths Press)
-
On-line resources:
- Blackboard
- Westlaw
- Lawtel
- Lexis Nexis
- Laserforms
- www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk (Parliament on line)
- www.hmso.gov.uk/acts.htm (Acts of Parliament and Statutory Instruments)
Please note that it is essential that for both the required and recommended reading, the most recent edition of the relevant book is used.