C/L/184. Case studies and legal advice on Family law

The paper examines the policy and principles of the validity of the Married Couples Tax Cut, the protection granted under the Children's Act for the children of abused mothers including the tools to protect the mother, and the parental responsibility held by biological fathers and step-fathers.

C/L/157. Should unmarried fathers be entitled to the same parental responsibility as that which is given to married fathers and mothers?

This assignment discusses whether or not unmarried fathers should be entitled to the same parental responsibility as married fathers and mothers. Considers exactly what parental responsibility is. Considers the current law on parental responsibility and how an unmarried father might obtain it and then looks at proposals for reform and considers whether or not reform is necessary or whether or not the status quo should be maintained

C/L/154. Family proceedings and domestic violence

This paper is discussed in two parts. The first part advices on family proceedings involving the deterioration of the relationship between a cohabiting couple. It advices on whether a father would be successful in an application to obtain a residence order, and the possibility of a contact order being made. It also discusses the issue of welfare reports and whether income or capital can be obtained. The second part discusses the impact of the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004. As it is a recent piece of legislation, not many cases have been decided under its provisions, so most of the conclusions are drawn from academic and practising opinions.

E/L/49. You are asked by a friend for your advice, from a legal point of view as a Family Law student, whether she should cohabit with her partner or marry him

You are asked by a friend for your advice, from a legal point of view as a Family Law student, whether she should cohabit with her partner or marry him. (i) What factual information ought you to obtain from your friend so as to be able to advise her? (ii) What are the advantages and disadvantages of marriage and cohabitation? The paper offers advice on the legal advantages and disadvantages of marriage vs. cohabitation touching on the issues of property ownership, children and parental responsibility, taxes, the distribution of pension money, financial support, etc.

E/L/36. Family Law: Case Analysis

The paper addresses the issues of family law discussing the Matrimonial Causes Act (MCA) 1973, Civil Partnership Act 2004 and Family Law Act 1996, and applying them in advising a client on the legal protection that she is liable to receive in case of the end of her marriage.

P/PS/114. Theoretical and therapeutic approaches to spouse abuse

The paper examines criminal behaviour in men abusing their partners. A review of literature is presented touching on the theories of aggression reinforcers, spouse abuse, social learning, attachment, personality dimensions, etc. The application of therapeutic interventions particularly of psychoanalytical character is discussed.

C/L/103. LAW OF SUCCESSION: Wills and Probate

This problem answer evaluates the current law of succession on a basic level. It probes specific questions relating to the scenario including full disposition, partial intestacy and full intestacy. It also considers the effect of the Civil Partnership Act 2005 on intestacy rules and the effect of the Gender Recognition Act 2005.

P/L/137. Implications of intestacy law

The paper examines the issues of intestacy law including its implications for the surviving spouse / partner. Recommendations of the UK Law Commission to the Government are discussed offering an overview of related legislation and recent law cases that provided interpretations of cohabitation.

S/L/73. The Civil Partnership Act 2004 and Its Future Impact

This paper examines the introduction of the Civil Partnership Act 2004 and its possible effects. Comparisons and contrasts have been drawn of the rights that are given to homosexual couples and heterosexual cohabiting couples with married couples too. A critical analysis is provided of the Act with regards to the rights it provides. Various opinions have been drawn from academics to support arguments.

S/L/70. Discuss whether the legal institution of marriage remains fundamentally important in family law, or whether the law is now based upon a wider concept of family

This essay examines the evolution of the concept of 'family', from the formalist to the subjective approach, and how the latter concept which includes cohabitation may have undermined the traditional concept of 'family', but the legal institution of marriage still remains supreme. A very popular essay question in Intellectual Property Law / Family Law exams!

C/L/87. The autonomy for children

This paper looks at the ways in which the government currently intervenes, through the medical profession and courts, in the way parents bring up their children. It looks specifically at two areas that show the invasiveness of the government in the relationship between parents and their children. The first area is when parents wish to refuse life saving medical treatment and courts order it to be carried out. The second is when adolescents seek contraceptive advice from doctors without the consent or knowledge of their parents.

P/L/103. Issues of legal recognition of transgender and same-sex couples

The paper discusses social, religious, economic and legal aspects of marriage focusing on legal recognition of transgender and same-sex couples in the UK and Holland. Cases dealing with the claim of marriage for transgender individuals are related; the Gender Recognition Act and regulations on civil partnership are reviewed; the problems of parenting are discussed.

C/L/72. Grounds for nullity of marriage

This essay looks at the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973, relating to the grounds on which the marriage can be annulled. The situations where the marriage would be considered void, ie never to have existed at all, or voidable ie valid until the decree of nullity is obtained. All of these rules are simultaneously applied to the hypothetical question, to conclude that the party will not be successful in petitioning for annulment of the marriage simply because his situation does not fall in into any of the grounds for either void or voildable marriage.

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