Overview
Law and procedures concerning the formation and breakdown of family relationships, and the relationship between family and state. Legal recognition of theories of human relationships.
The application of law, policy and research to the formation and breakdown of adult relationships, post-separation parenting arrangements, and the relationship between family, whānau and the state. Legal recognition of theoretical understandings of human relationships, international law and professional practice in the family justice field.
Family law is a central part of the general practice of law. All lawyers should have a general knowledge of family law, both for their professional and personal life. There is also a growing number of lawyers who become specialists in family law.
About this paper
| Paper title | Family Law |
|---|---|
| Subject | Law |
| EFTS | 0.1 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 1 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $730.20 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 96 LAWS points
- Pre or Corequisite
- Any 200-level LAWS paper not already passed
- Restriction
- LAWS 311, LAWS 511
- Limited to
- LLB, LLB(Hons), MBHL
- Notes
- Not all optional papers will be available in any given year.
- Eligibility
Optional paper for LLB / LLB (Hons) and MBHL students.
- Contact
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
Topics addressed include the NZ family justice system, roles of key professionals, international law, formation and dissolution of adult relationships, becoming a parent/guardian (paternity, adoption, AHR procedures, surrogacy), financial issues (child support, relationship property division, provision after death), family violence, child protection and out-of-home care, children’s post-separation care and contact arrangements, relocation and international child abduction.
- Textbooks
Course readings are available via eReserve.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Global perspective, Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Environmental literacy, Information literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper should:
- Develop understanding of how best to resolve complex multi-issue child and family law disputes on behalf of clients in a confident and effective manner
- Be able to critically analyse issues of principle and policy raised by the family justice system and its operation in practice