Core Text: Family Law, 4th edition

• Presents a readable and well-rounded overview of the latest developments in family law, supported by extracts from key judgments and cases to help develop an understanding of the subject
• Points out key areas of debate or potential reform which reflect the fast-paced nature of the subject and helps the reader appreciate some of the controversial areas of family law
• Takes a broad approach to the subject, covering both adult and child law and includes a separate chapter on death and its consequences for family members
• Includes chapter summaries, self-test questions, and advice on further reading to help consolidate learning and provide support for further research and assessment preparation
• Thoroughly updated and edited for each new edition, the 4th edition maintains its concise and student-friendly format, supported by a new and easy-to-use layout
• Electronic updates twice a year

New to this edition

• Includes discussion of the proposed law to permit same-sex marriage and the debates surrounding this topic
• Takes account of the proposals of the Family Justice Review and the reform of Legal Aid
• Features discussion of the recommendations from the Munro Review of Child Protection
• Updated discussion of forced marriage, re-evaluating the impact of the Forced Marriage Act 2007
• Takes account of the growing involvement of the European Court of Human Rights in family law disputes
• Features an improved text design and layout to ensure accessibility

Family Law is part of the Core Text Series, a range of textbooks from OUP which provide focused and reliable guides for students of law at all levels. Written with authority by leading academics and renowned for their readability and clarity, these invaluable texts provide a straightforward analysis and discussion of the subject and its challenges. 

Family Law enables students to develop a clear understanding of the law, providing an insight into the tensions that surround family life in all its forms. The complex personal relations between adults, their children, and the State, are all fully explored and the controversial issues which face family lawyers today are highlighted. This fourth edition has been fully edited and updated, as well as partly rewritten, to provide a reliable and critical overview suitable for all family law courses. 

Clearly written and presented, Family Law incorporates chapter summaries and self-test questions which alert the reader to key topics for discussion and reflection. Selected reading lists at the end of each chapter encourage further research and help in essay preparation. 

This book is accompanied by an Online Resource Centre featuring regular author updates to keep the reader informed of changes to the law post-publication, and a selection of helpful websites. Visit www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/orc/welstead4e/ for more details.

Readership: Students taking a module in family or child law as part of the LLB or other related law programmes. This book will also be helpful for those without a background in law looking for an interesting and concise introduction to family law.