AUSTRALIAN FAMILY LAW
LAW5AFL
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
The focus of this subject is Australian Family Law. The role of the state and of traditional legal forms in the regulation, maintenance and control of family and personal relationships is covered. The impact of the changing role of women and men in the family, as well as increasing family diversity, are considered. Specific issues canvassed include the legal regulation of family formation and breakdown; the financial consequences of family formation and breakdown; parental responsibility and children's rights. This subject aims to provide students with an overview of the key issues in contemporary family law in Australia, as well as opportunities for critical analysis of the policies that underlie it.
School: La Trobe Law School
Credit points: 15
Subject Co-ordinator: Fiona Kelly
Available to Study Abroad Students: Yes
Subject year level: Year Level 5 - Masters
Exchange Students: Yes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites: Must be enrolled in LMJD or LML or LMLGBL or LMCL or LMLAW or LMLE or have permission of the Law School Director of Postgraduate (Coursework) Programs
Co-requisites: N/A
Incompatible subjects: N/A
Equivalent subjects: N/A
Special conditions: N/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Australian Family Law: The Contemporary Context | Prescribed | Belinda Fehlberg, Rae Kaspiew, Jenni Millbank, Fiona Kelly & Juliet Behrens | Oxford University Press |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Develop an awareness and capacity to critically analyse the key issues in contemporary Australian Family Law.
- Activities:
- Class exercises; policy essay; take home examination.
02. Develop detailed knowledge of the legal framework which regulates the responsibilities, rights and duties of family members in Australia, and of the socio-legal factors that this legal framework
- Activities:
- Class exercises; policy essay; take home examination.
03. Develop high level skills in legal analysis and reasoning and improve legal problem solving skills in relation to family law problems.
- Activities:
- Class exercises; take home exam
04. Clearly communicate complex legal concepts and doctrines in a relevant and succinct way.
- Activities:
- Take home exam
05. Critically analyse the historical, social, economic and cultural context in which family law decision-making arises.
- Activities:
- Policy essay; class exercises
City Campus, 2019, Winter semester, Day
Overview
Online enrolment: Yes
Maximum enrolment size: N/A
Enrolment information:
Subject Instance Co-ordinator: Fiona Kelly
Class requirements
Lecture/SeminarWeek: 27 - 28
Four 7.0 hours lecture/seminar per study period on weekdays during the day from week 27 to week 28 and delivered via face-to-face.
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy essay (1500 word equivalent) | 30 | 01, 02, 05 | |
| Take home examination (4000 word equivalent) | 70 | 01, 02, 03, 04 |