Law

Child Law

Module code: M5008
Level 6
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar
Assessment modes: Essay

This module introduces you to the most important rules of Child Law. It outlines the rules on parental status and parental responsibility, child protection, contact and residence disputes and other disputes about what should be done for children. It also reflects on the central ideas that frame child law including the welfare principle and children’s rights.

The module does not just reflect on the rules and principles of child law. It considers the application of those rules and principles in the social and political contexts in which they operate. The module requires you to think about the nature of the parental relationship and the relationships that adults have with children in society more generally – and it reflects on these issues in the broadest possible way. It will encourage you to think about the appropriateness of the rules that govern our children and their status in the family.

The module will be both theoretical and extremely practical.

Module learning outcomes

• Systematically explain, analyse and apply the important legal principles and rules affecting children in family law.
• Systematically explain and analyse the most important policy considerations that underpin the rules and principles governing children in family life
• Present a reasoned argument in which the rules of child law are applied
• Demonstrate the ability to initiate and undertake independent research to develop critical perspectives on child law