This is an engaging module where you'll learn about the key areas of family law in England and Wales. By employing a range of activities, it will expose you to interesting issues and debates concerning families and children, such as the medical rights of children and children’s rights. You'll examine how family law responds to change in society and consider how the law may regulate or intervene in our private lives. During the module, you will have an opportunity to understand how the knowledge and skills you gain are used in legal practice and other employment settings.
What you will study
This module is comprised of three blocks of study.
Block 1: Recognition
In this block, you will:
explore the differences in families. Through examples of family law, you're introduced to the underlying themes of the module that will be developed in the later units
examine the beginning and ending of adult relationships, including recent reforms in the areas of same-sex relationships and divorce law
discover the role of the law in the practical and financial arrangements which take place at the end of adult relationships, including child support
consider domestic abuse in a family law context, detailing the changing definition of abuse and family law remedies that may be available.
Block 2: Rights
In this block, you will:
address private child law, examining the legal framework for resolving disputes over decisions or arrangements concerning children
be introduced to the medical treatment of children and children’s rights. You'll also address issues of consent, capacity and rights.
Block 3: Regulation
In this block, you will:
examine public child law and focus on child protection. In doing so, you'll consider when and how the state intervenes in private family life
explore the legal framework surrounding assisted reproduction and surrogacy, examining how the law has evolved and the possible direction of future reform
consider family law disputes concerning adults and children with a cross border element, including international parental child abduction.
Entry requirements
If you are new to study at university level, or are returning after some time, we recommend that you first study an OU level 1 law module such as Criminal law and the courts (W111) or Civil justice and tort law (W112), unless you are a graduate entry student.
If you are studying this module as part of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (LLB) (R81) or Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (graduate entry) (LLB) (R82), then you will need to have studied or be studying on a presentation of Public law (W211) before enrolling on W230.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
Preparatory work
You might find the following resources useful in preparation for this module:
12 introductory steps to law
Law Toolkit
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
2 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
1 Interactive computer-marked assignment (iCMA)
End-of-module assessment
You will be required to submit a short post on the Tutor Group Forum prior to your first assignment. No prior knowledge of family law is needed to make this post.
What's included
You will have digital access via Law Trove to Family Law 3rd edition. Lamont, R. (ed.) (2022), and a module website, which includes:
an electronic copy of the module textbook
a week-by-week study planner
module -specific study materials
audio and video content
assignment details and submission section
online tutorials and forums, and tutor support.
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying W230 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Future availability
Family law starts once a year – in February.
This page describes the module that will start in February 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in February 2030.