Overview
Family Law will equip you with the knowledge and skills to practice family law. The unit will provide you with an understanding of the legislation and case law relating to the dissolution of the marriage relationship and de facto relationships, financial arrangements including the division of property, spousal maintenance and child support, the role of dispute resolution in family law and negotiating child focused arrangements pertaining to children. You will develop the ability to identify legal issues and structure legal arguments to resolve family law issues. The unit will also introduce you to principles of trauma-informed lawyering, which are essential for practice in this highly contentious area of the law.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Pre-Requisites: 24 credit points in LAWS units including LAWS11057, LAWS11066 and LAWS12078.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2026
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
- Investigate, analyse and apply the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), associated court rules and relevant case law, to address complex family law problems regarding relationships, property, finances, and children.
- Critically evaluate family law disputes by identifying legal and non-legal issues, assessing dispute resolution pathways, and reflecting on the effectiveness and limitations of the current system.
- Apply trauma-informed lawyering principles to potential challenges in client engagement and legal processes, and evaluate strategies for supporting access to justice in family law disputes.
- Apply professional judgment in family law practice by integrating doctrinal knowledge with critical perspectives (including trauma-informed and access-to-justice considerations) when evaluating legal processes and advising clients.
Not applicable.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 50% | ||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||
| 10 - First Nations Knowledges | ||||
| 11 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||
Textbooks
Family Law Principles 4th edition
Edition: 4th (2025)
Authors: Christopher Turnbull, Lance Rundle
Lawbook Co (Thomson Reuters)
Pyrmont Pyrmont , NSW , Aust
ISBN: 9780455249773
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Computer with microphone and camera
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Australian Guide to Legal Citation, 4th ed
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.french@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Introduction to Family Law Practice
Chapter
Refer to Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Workshop.
Module/Topic
The Family Law System
Chapter
Refer to Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Workshop.
Module/Topic
Family Dispute Resolution
Chapter
Refer to Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Workshop.
Module/Topic
Marriage, Nullity, and Divorce
Chapter
Refer to Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Workshop.
Module/Topic
Parenting: General Principles and Dispute Resolution
Chapter
Refer to Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Workshop.
Module/Topic
Parenting: The Court's Approach
Chapter
Refer to Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Workshop.
Practical Assessment due Friday, 17 April 2026 at 5pm.
Practical Assessment Due: Week 6 Friday (17 Apr 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Parenting: Child Support
Chapter
Refer to Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Workshop.
Module/Topic
Property: General Principles and Dispute Resolution
Chapter
Refer to Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Workshop.
Module/Topic
Property: The Court's Approach
Chapter
Refer to Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Workshop.
Module/Topic
Property: Enforcement
Chapter
Refer to Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Workshop.
Module/Topic
Family Law in Context: Domestic and Family Violence
Chapter
Refer to Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Workshop.
Module/Topic
Family Law in Context: Child Protection
Chapter
Refer to Moodle.
Events and Submissions/Topic
Weekly Workshop.
Written Assessment due Friday, 5 June 2026 at 5pm.
Written Assessment Due: Week 12 Friday (5 June 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Practical Assessment
In week 1, on Moodle, you will be provided with a parenting plan and details to complete Assessment 1.
You will be required to work with another student to conduct a client interviewing exercise, where each student has the opportunity to act as both the lawyer and the client.
You will also be required to complete a written reflection component addressing your preparation and reflecting on the interview itself.
You will be graded on your legal research skills and your ability to run a trauma-informed client interview.
You will be required to nominate your pairs via a share document on Moodle by the end of Week 3. The share document will be available on Moodle in Week 1.
Each student will be required to submit independently.
You must not use any generative AI, large language model or equivalent in any manner for this assessment.
Academic Integrity standards apply to the assessment.
Extensions of more than 14 days are not available for this assessment. Due to the need to provide prompt feedback to students and the content of feedback provided, submissions received after the assessment has been returned to students cannot be accepted for academic integrity reasons. Students seeking extensions beyond this timeframe will be required to undertake a different version of the assessment task.
Week 6 Friday (17 Apr 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Week 8 Thursday (7 May 2026)
A marking rubric will be provided along with the instructions for this assessment.
- Investigate, analyse and apply the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), associated court rules and relevant case law, to address complex family law problems regarding relationships, property, finances, and children.
- Critically evaluate family law disputes by identifying legal and non-legal issues, assessing dispute resolution pathways, and reflecting on the effectiveness and limitations of the current system.
- Apply trauma-informed lawyering principles to potential challenges in client engagement and legal processes, and evaluate strategies for supporting access to justice in family law disputes.
- Apply professional judgment in family law practice by integrating doctrinal knowledge with critical perspectives (including trauma-informed and access-to-justice considerations) when evaluating legal processes and advising clients.
2 Written Assessment
In week 6 on Moodle, you will be provided with details to complete Assessment 2.
This assessment will have two parts. Part 1 will include short answer questions, and Part 2 will include a scenario where you are required to provide a written advice and reflect on how you would approach the client using trauma-informed lawyering.
You will be graded on your legal research skills and your trauma-informed lawyering skills.
You must not use any generative AI, large language model or equivalent in any manner for this assessment.
Academic Integrity standards apply to the assessment.
Extensions of more than 14 days are not available for this assessment. Due to the need to provide prompt feedback to students and the content of feedback provided, submissions received after the assessment has been returned to students cannot be accepted for academic integrity reasons. Students seeking extensions beyond this timeframe will be required to undertake a different version of the assessment task.
Week 12 Friday (5 June 2026) 5:00 pm AEST
Vacation/Exam Week Friday (19 June 2026)
A marking rubric will be provided along with the instructions for this assessment.
- Investigate, analyse and apply the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth), associated court rules and relevant case law, to address complex family law problems regarding relationships, property, finances, and children.
- Critically evaluate family law disputes by identifying legal and non-legal issues, assessing dispute resolution pathways, and reflecting on the effectiveness and limitations of the current system.
- Apply trauma-informed lawyering principles to potential challenges in client engagement and legal processes, and evaluate strategies for supporting access to justice in family law disputes.
- Apply professional judgment in family law practice by integrating doctrinal knowledge with critical perspectives (including trauma-informed and access-to-justice considerations) when evaluating legal processes and advising clients.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
