Latest Module Specifications
Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026
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Description This module has two aims: to equip students with the law regulating familial and inter-personal relationships and challenge students to critically assess the role of this law in Irish society. Students will learn to:- identify the sources & principles of family law; understand the extent to which this family law regulates familial and inter-personal relationships; and apply family law to hypothetical and actual case studies. Students are expected to attend lectures and to read the material provided on Loop. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Learning Outcomes 1. Define the concept of family & nature of personal relationships 2. Evaluate the State's interest in the legal regulation of marriage, family & personal relationships 3. Determine what reforms are necessary for Irish family law in the 21st century 4. Appreciate how this module relates to other modules such as Constitutional Law 5. Research and write an essay on a family law topic that addresses the role of family law in society 6. Apply family law to hypothetical and real scenarios | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml |
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Indicative Content and Learning Activities
Nature & Development of Irish Family Law We discuss the unique features of family law and the development of family law in Ireland with reference to changes in Irish society The Family: Parents, Children & the State We examine the legal definition of the family and how the law regulates the relationship between parents, children, other relatives and the State Marriage Contract We discuss the marriage contract, pre-nuptial agreements, post-nuptial agreements and legal principles for annulling a marriage contract Marital Breakdown We examine the legal options available to a couple when their relationship ends including a separation agreement, a decree of judicial separation or a decree of divorce Proper Provision, Judicial Separation & Divorce We consider the factors that a court must consider when making proper provision in judicial separation or divorce proceedings and the orders that a court can issue to make proper provision Cohabitation We discuss the presumptive statutory cohabitation scheme in light of the legal requirements for marriage, judicial separation and divorce Domestic Abuse We review the development of the civil legal response to domestic abuse since 1976 Legal Relationship between Parents, Relatives, Carers & Children We discuss how family law regulates the relationship between parents, relatives, carers and children through the concepts of parentage, guardianship, custody and access Assisted Human Reproduction & Families We consider the regulation of parent-child relationships where a child is born through a form of assisted human reproduction such as egg donation, sperm donation and surrogacy Adoption & Families We review the evolution of Irish adoption law with reference to the social context and discuss closed adoption, tracing of genetic parents and international adoption Child Welfare & Protection We discuss the legal principles regulation child welfare and protection International Family Law We discuss an aspect of international family law such as child abduction, adoption or marital breakdown | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Indicative Reading List Books:
Articles: None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Other Resources None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||