Author Description

The themes of Family Law straddle continents regardless of international borders and legal jurisdictions. Using a comparative framework this book provides critical exposition of the key areas within Family Law exploring the evolution and development of these themes in their historical, cultural, political and legal context. Divided into four parts the text examines the development of English family law, in particular the recent focus on children's rights, property relations and domestic violence, before examining selected common law and civil law jurisdictions. The common law in Australia, New Zealand, some Far Eastern countries and selected American jurisdictions are examined alongside civil law jurisdictions such as France, Germany and Sweden. Finally, a former socialist country, the Russian Federation, is examined as an example of a hybrid jurisdiction, in order to provide a critical, comparative overview of the common issues in Family law. With cross-referencing to English law to the earlier parts of the book, this text is ideal for those seeking a truly comparative analysis of family law. Particular attention is paid to the position of unmarried fathers, the legal position of unmarried cohabitants, the legal approach to same sex couples and the State. The relevance and effect of the Human Rights Act 1998 on English family law is also considered.