Bar Manual: Family Law in Practice, 12th Edition

• Provides a detailed introduction to the key areas of family law encountered in practice, providing an excellent overview of the key legal principles and procedures specific to this evolving area of law
• Includes a dedicated chapter focusing specifically on the role of mediation as a tool for resolving family law disputes
• Adopts a highly practical approach to the subject, providing invaluable guidance on how to approach writing opinions, drafting documents, and handling witnesses to ensure that the junior practitioner is fully equipped with all of the essential legal skills required for successful practice

New to this edition

• Fully up to date, including coverage of the Children and Families Act 2014, Crime and Courts Act 2013, and the Child Maintenance Service
• Deals with the unification of the Family Proceedings Courts and County Courts through the introduction of The Single Family Court
• References updated throughout to ensure the text examines the latest, most relevant case law
• Revised coverage of forced marriage, civil partnership and same-sex marriage, and divorce and dissolution

Almost all junior barristers in civil practice are likely to encounter family law work in their first years of practice.Family Law in Practice provides a detailed introduction to the key areas of the substantive family law of which the junior practitioner should have a good working knowledge. Key aspects of family law covered include domestic violence, care proceedings and pre-nuptial agreements.

Adopting a highly pragmatic approach, Family Law in Practice encourages students to build on their existing basic practitioner skills, and highlights how to approach writing opinions and drafting documents specific to family law. It provides invaluable practical advice on how to prepare for different types of hearing, what factors to consider in relation to negotiation, how to make persuasive submissions, and how to handle witnesses effectively, ensuring that the junior practitioner is fully prepared for his or her first steps in the family courts.

Key updates to this new edition include coverage of the Children and Families Act 2014, the Crime and Courts Act 2013, and the Child Maintenance Service. Case law has been revised throughout and the major changes affecting civil partnership, same-sex marriage, and the Single Family Court are fully covered.

Readership: Suitable for students undertaking an elective module in family law as part of the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC).