Family Law in Context

Family Law in Context takes a new critical approach to teaching family law,
grounding the law in its social context and drawing on the latest research.
Each chapter is written by an Irish family law academic with experience of
research-led university teaching.

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In the last 50 years, Irish family law and Irish social attitudes towards the
family have changed beyond recognition. Although the constitutional idea of
the family is still based on marriage, family law now embraces and provides
for a diversity of family forms. With the introduction of divorce Ireland has
moved from a system which attached shame to the breakdown of marriage to
one that provides for the reality of modern family life. Contemporary law now
centres around the rights of children and promotes a child-focused approach
to dispute resolution.
Family Law in Context provides a comprehensive yet accessible foundational
text supporting students and lecturers in meeting the learning outcomes of
child and family law modules across universities and colleges in Ireland.
Family Law in Context goes beyond an exposition of the law, engaging with
debates on the nature of family law and law's impact on the forms of family life
it seeks to regulate. In doing so it supports students in thinking critically about
family law in Ireland.