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Unit of study_

LAWS5132: Family Law

2025 unit information

Family Law deals with the core provisions of the Family Law Act 1975 governing parenting of children and the property of married couples and persons in a de facto relationship. It also has a focus on the intersection of domestic and family violence with family law issues. It emphasises the importance of understanding critical skills needed in the application of the law in this area. This course is essential for those interested in working in Family Law related disciplines either as a practitioner or in law reform. Family Law will focus on the following topics: constitutional and jurisdictional issues; marriage, divorce and de facto relationships; the resolution of disputes relating to children under the Family Law Act 1975; property division under the Family Law Act; child support and maintenance; family violence and the ethical practice of Family law.

Unit details and rules

Managing faculty or University school:

Sydney Law School

Study level Postgraduate
Academic unit Law
Credit points 6
Prerequisites:
? 
None
Corequisites:
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None
Prohibitions:
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LAWS3432
Assumed knowledge:
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None

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. describe the social context of family law and analyse debates about the legal regulation of families.
  • LO2. collaboratively identify the characteristics and qualities that form the basis for becoming effective and sensitive family law practitioners.
  • LO3. collaboratively and critically analyse existing law and policy concerning the breakdown of family relationships and identify opportunities for law reform.
  • LO4. practice and apply prediction skills with respect to the way in family law principles may be applied in judicial and non-judicial settings.

Unit availability

This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.

The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.

Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2024
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2025
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Outline unavailable
Session MoA ?  Location Outline ? 
Semester 2 2020
Normal evening Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2021
Normal day Remote
Semester 2 2021
Normal evening Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 1 2022
Normal day Remote
Semester 1 2022
Normal evening Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney
Semester 2 2023
Normal day Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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Modes of attendance (MoA)

This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.