LA4032 - Family Law

Credit points:	03
Year:	2013
Student Contribution Band:	Band 3
Administered by:	School of Law Office

In this subject students examine the legal rules affecting family relationships and the function of lawyers in their administration. The subject includes the laws relating to entry into marriage and dissolution of marriage; the consequences of separation and divorce (maintenance and property rights; parenting and care arrangements for children); parents and children; and de facto relationships. The role of lawyers in the process of dissolution, particularly in the fields of counselling, conciliation and mediation, is considered, along with a full and in-depth examination of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).

Learning Outcomes

• analyse and apply the legal provisions governing the breakdown of a marriage and de facto relationships;
• apply relevant statutory provisions and case law to resolve issues in relation to dissolution of marriage; the consequences of separation and divorce (maintenance, property rights and parenting and care arrangements for children); parents and children; and de facto relationships;
• examine the changing nature of marriage and divorce and child support.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to think critically, to analyse and evaluate claims, evidence and arguments;
• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
• The ability to speak and write logically, clearly and creatively;
• The ability to select and use appropriate IT tools;
• The ability to access and employ online technologies effectively;
• The ability to use a variety of media and methods to retrieve, analyse, evaluate, organise and present information;
• The ability to reflect on and evaluate learning processes and products;
• The ability to learn independently and in a self-directed manner;
• A commitment to lifelong learning and intellectual development.

Prerequisites:	LA1101 and LA1102
Inadmissible Subject Combinations:	LA3005

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 28-Mar-2013
Coordinator:	Professor Stephen Graw
Lecturer:	Miss Diane Ruhl.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 12 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (65%); tutorial attendance and participation (15%); assignments (20%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 28-Mar-2013
Coordinator:	Professor Stephen Graw
Lecturer:	Miss Diane Ruhl.
Contact hours:	26 hours lectures 12 hours tutorials
Assessment:	end of semester exam (65%); tutorial attendance and participation (15%); assignments (20%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.