Part A – Essay questions 1 Question One
“A family should be defined as a married man and wife with biological children.”
Critically evaluate this statement and develop a justified argument on the legal definition of the family, considering the legal and societal understandings of a family.
Question Two
In April 2022, the law on divorce, through the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, removed the concept of fault from those wishing to divorce. We now have a ‘no-fault’ system for those wishing to end their marriages.
Develop a justified argument on whether the no-fault system of divorce represents a positive development in the law.
Part B – Essay Questions 2
Question Three
Using cases such as Geary v Rankine[2012] EWCA Civ 555 and relevant academic commentary, critically evaluate and develop a justified argument on whether the current law on ownership of the family home adequately protects cohabiting partners.
Question Four
Develop a justified argument on whether the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 represents a meaningful reform of domestic abuse law in England and Wales.
Submission Instructions (When and where do I submit?) Please submit your assessment via your module’s Assessment Area on Blackboard. Guidance on how to submit can be found below:this guide to submitting to Turnitin assignments Formatting requirements · File Format: MS Word document · Font: Sans serif (Arial or New Times Roman) · Font Size: 12pt · Font Size of Footnotes 10pt · Line Spacing: 1.5 · Referencing:OSCOLA(with footnotes)
The word count is 2500. This is a strict word limit and does not include a 10% allowance. The word count does not include: · The Aston Law School Assessment Cover Sheet · Headings identifying questions. · OSCOLA footnotes or bibliography Coursework Layout · The first page of your assessment must be The Aston Law School Assessment Cover Sheet. This must not include your name. · All answers must be contained within one document. · You do not need to start each answer on a new page, but you must clearly mark the beginning and end of each answer. Late or non-submission Work submitted after the deadline without approved Exceptional Circumstances (EC) will be capped in line with university regulations. If you experience difficulties that prevent submission, you must apply for EC using the University process. Guidance is available here: https://www.astonsu.com/support/academic/
3.0 Purpose of Assessment Learning Outcomes (How does the assessment help me to demonstrate the outcomes of this module?)
This assessment is desinged to help you demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the rules, principles and concepts of family law concerning adult relationships.
The assessment also measures your ability to undertake independent research, drawing on both primary legal sources and secondary academic commentary. You will demonstrate skills in critical analysis, evaluation, and engagement with current legal frameworks and debates.
In producing well-structured essays, you are required to construct a structured and reasoned argument that leads to a justified conclusion and is supported by appropriate authority. This process shows your capacity to communicate legal ideas clearly and persuasively.
This assessment will help demonstrate your ability to identify and discuss relevant legal, theoretical, and societal issues related to family law. This encourages a holistic understanding of how legal doctrine interacts with broader social contexts and contemporary challenges within the family justice system.
Assessment Rationale (Why am I doing this assessment?)
You are asked to complete two essays because this form of assessment best reflects the academic and practical skills required to study and understand family law in depth. Essay writing requires you to move beyond memorising legal rules and to demonstrate a critical, analytical, and evidence-based understanding of the key areas covered in the module.
Essays require you to make a clear argument, evaluate competing viewpoints, identify strengths and weaknesses in the law, and reach a well-supported conclusion. This shows your ability to think critically about legal problems and engage with academic debate.
The essays give you the opportunity to use both primary sources (cases and legislation) and secondary sources (books, journal articles, reports). This helps you develop the ability to find, interpret, and use legal materials—essential skills for your studies and for any future legal or academic work.
This coursework also encourages you to think about wider societal debates surrounding family law, such as how the law defines “family,” how relationships should be recognised, or how the law responds to issues like domestic violence. You are also encouraged to explore critical perspectives, including feminist theory, socio-legal analysis, and other academic viewpoints that challenge, question, or re-interpret the law. This means thinking not only about how the law works from a legal standpoint, but also how it can be understood or critiqued from social, political or cultural perspectives.
4.0 Feedback Expectations When and where can I find my grades and feedback? Staff will aim to return provisional marks for coursework assessments to students within four weeks of the submission deadline during term time. For this module Summative Feedback and a provisional grade will be provided on 29 April 2026via Turnitin
Any grades that you see outside of My Aston Portal (MAP)should be thought of as provisional. Only final Exam Board approved grades will appear in MAP. Feedback and provisional grades can be accessed in Blackboard for both Turnitin and Blackboard Assignments. For Turnitin assignments, see our guide to accessing your Turnitin feedback.
5.0 Guidance on Artificial Intelligence Usage The Use of Generative AI in your work is optional
For this assessment, the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is optional. You may use AI for specific purposes that support learning, but AI-generated content must not replace core academic tasks. The use of AI may support, but not replace, your analysis and expression. The following uses are permitted: · Using generative AI to check your own understanding of the Assessment Brief or plan your time and tasks. · Using generative AI to support background research (for example, clarifying concepts, summarising material, or identifying potential sources while independently verifying the accuracy and validity of any information found) but not copying or reproducing AI-generated text in your assessment (your final submission must always be written in your own words). · Using generative AI to help to “brainstorm” or develop initial ideas (for example, argument flow). · Using generative AI to check or enhance the structure, grammar, spelling, or clarity of your writing (with your own critical assessment and judgement applied).
Any application or use of AI should be acknowledged within the Aston Law School Assessment Cover Sheet. The misuse of generative AI, as defined in Aston University’s assessment regulations, will be treated as an academic offence and may be subject to disciplinary action. The misuse of generative AI may include a failure to declare the use of generative AI.
You might find this guidance by The Learning Services team on the effective and ethical use of AI for assessments useful:Artificial Intelligence for study and assessment | Rise 360.
6.0 Assessment Tips What further information and advice might help me complete this task?
To support you in completing this task, an Assessment Tips folder has been added to the Assessment Area on Blackboard for this module.
There will be:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that address common queries about the task, including word count, referencing, and formatting.
Family Law Assessment Checklistto review your submissionn against key requirements, ensuring you mean the word count, formatting, and referencing rules.
In addition, please attend the lecture in Week 5 – Assessment, Divorce, and Family Justice in which you will be provided with guidance on how to approach the assessment of questions and criteria.
7.0 Assessment Criteria and Rubric What will my work be marked against? Your work will be marked against the following criteria: (See full Rubric on Below)
1. Subject Knowledge and Understanding (25%) · Demonstrate understanding of the principles of family law with depth and breadth appropriate to the level. Outstanding submissions show exceptional mastery; lower levels show limited or inaccurate knowledge 2. Critical Thinking and Argument Building (25%) · Develop a coherent, structured, and justified argument directly relevant to the question. High marks require strong evaluation and logical reasoning; lower marks indicate minimal or descriptive argumentation. 3. Research and Use of Sources (25%) · Use a wide range of primary and secondary sources effectively to support arguments. High-level work integrates literature critically, while lower-level work shows little or no research evidence. 4. Structure, Presentation and Communication (20%) · Present work clearly and professionally, with logical structure and precise language. High marks reflect polished, readable essays; lower marks reflect unclear, repetitive, or confusing writing. 5. Referencing (5%) · Use OSCOLA referencing consistently and accurately throughout, including footnotes and bibliography. Outstanding work shows flawless referencing; poor work shows inconsistency, errors, or omission of references.
Level of Performance % Mark Criteria Outstanding
80+ (Subject Knowledge and Understanding) Outstanding breadth and depth of knowledge, resulting in an outstanding understanding of the principles of the subject. (Research and Use of Sources) Consistent use of a wide range of independent and appropriate sources. Ability to critically reflect and use those sources effectively. Makes outstanding use of literature to support and justify the views expressed. (Critical Thinking and Argument Building) Develop an argument which is well structured, clearly justified, and relevant to question at hand. (Structure, Presentation and Communication) Professional levels of presentations and use of language to communicate. (Referencing) Consistent use of OSCOLA with no errors. Excellent
70-79 (Subject Knowledge and Understanding) Excellent understanding of the principles of the subject and excellent subject knowledge. (Research and Use of Sources) An effective use of a wide range of independent and appropriate sources and general ability to use those sources well. Makes excellent use of literature, to support and justify the views expressed. (Critical Thinking and Argument Building) Develop an argument which is well structured, justified, and relevant to the question at hand. (Structure, Presentation and Communication) Professional and well-presented throughout. (Referencing) Consistent use of OSCOLA. Very Good