| CODE | CVL2010 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Family Law | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Civil Law | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | Family Law aims to provide students with a basic understanding of the institutes relating to Family Law embodied in the Civil Code under the title “Of Persons” and to examine the main provisions of the Promises of Marriage Law and the Marriage Act. The study-unit is divided into three main parts: Part 1 will cover topics relating to Rights and Duties Arising from Marriage and Parental Authority, Adoption, Filiations, Minority and Tutorship, Foster Care, Interdiction and Incapacitation, and Acts of Civil Status. Part 2 will then focus on the provisions regulations Betrothal, the Celebration of Marriage, Formalities of Marriage, the legal bases for a Declaration of Nullity of a Marriage, and the Recognition of Marriages celebrated in accordance with a religious rite together with relevant Private International Law sections. Part 3 will provide a basic grounding in the institute of Separation under the Civil Code examining issues relating to Maintenance, Care and Custody, Matrimonial Home and Matrimonial Regimes. Throughout the study-unit, reference will be made to domestic and foreign judgements as well as decisions of the European Court of Human Rights in order to highlight the human rights elements of family law. A comparative approach will be encouraged and contemporary articles in legal journals will also be referred to throughout the course. Learning Outcomes: On completion of the unit students should: • understand the basic tenets of Family Law; • be able to review selected topics in Family Law from a comparative perspective; • be able to critically analyse relevant local and foreign court judgments; • appreciate family law issues as human rights issues within the ECHR. Selected Bibliography: General Texts: Laws of Malta • Civil Code, Chapter 16 (selected) • Marriage Act Chapter 255 • Promises of Marriage Act Chapter 5 • Children and Young Persons Care Orders Act Chapter 285 • Domestic Violence Act Chapter 481 • COCP Chapter 12 (selected) • Foster Care Act Chapter 491 • Adoption Administration Act Chapter 495 • Child Abduction and Custody Act Chapter 410 • Equality for Men and Women Act Chapter 456 • Commissioner for Children Act Chapter 462 • Amendments to COCP Chapter 12 LN 397.2003 • Mediation Act Chapter 474 • SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 16.01 PLACING OF MINORS REGULATIONS LN13 of 1962, as amended by Acts: XLIV of 1965, XIII of1983 and VIII of 1990. • SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 16.04, ADOPTION REGULATIONS LN15 of 1995. • SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 16.05, OVERSEAS ADOPTION (DEFINITION) ORDER LN 398 of 2004. • Subsidiary Legislation 285.01 Children and Young Persons (Care Orders) Regulations • LEGAL NOTICE 49 of 1985, as amended by Legal Notice 43 of 1999 and Legal Notice 102 of 2005. • Italian Civil Code (with commentary such as by by Cian Trabucchi (Commentario al Codice Civile – CEDAM) (selected articles) • German Civil Code : Engagement sections 1297 et in Civil Code • French Code de l-Action Social et des Familles (with commentary such as by Dalloz publishers) (selected articles) • United Nations: CEDAW + CRC • Brussels II bis Council Regulation (EC) Number 2201/2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility. Selected Reading • Stalford H., Concepts of Family under EU Law-Lessons from the ECHR in International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family 16 (2002), 410-434 • Farrugia R., (2004) Family Law in Law [Eds Schwabach A. and Cockfield AJ.], in Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), UNESCO, Eolss Publishers,Oxford. • Moran J.D., Families, Courts and EOL: Schiavo and its Implications for the Family Justice System, Family Court Review, Vol. 46 No.2 April 2008, pp 297-330 • Dyer C., The Gillick Judgement, British Medical Journal, Vol 291, 26.10.1985 • “The three parent case”, AAvBB, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Ontario, 2007 • Dey I. and Wasoff F., Mixed Messages: Parental Responsibilities, Public Opinion and the Reforms of Family Law, International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, 20 (2006) 225-248 • Ruth Farrugia, (2004), CHILD LAW, in Law, [Eds. Aaron Schwabach, and Arthur John Cockfield], in Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), Developed under the Auspices of the UNESCO, Eolss Publishers, Oxford ,UK, [http://www.eolss.net] • Angela Campbell, CONCEIVING PARENTS THROUGH LAW, International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, Vol. 21, No. 2, 242–273 • Farrugia R., Parentage and Civil Status Matters, Council of Europe, 1999, p115-126, Proceedings XXVIIth Colloquy on European Law – Council of Europe (Malta), http://www.coe.int/t/e/legal_affairs/legal_cooperation/family_law_and_children's_rights/conferences • Farrugia R., Id-Dritt Law Journal, Vol. XIX, 2006 – Impact of Amendments of Act XLIII on Rights of Children Born out of Wedlock [ISBN -13:978-99932-0-473-2] • Francis Jacobs and Robin White, The European Convention on Human Rights [2006] • BESSON S., ENFORCING THE CHILD’S RIGHT TO KNOW HER ORIGINS: CONTRASTING APPROACHES UNDER THE CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD AND THE EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS, International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, 21 (2007), 137–159 • Abela A., Farrugia R. + Role’ J., Children’s Perceptions of their Experience in Residential or Foster Care - Malta, Dept of Welfare pub 2001 • Miquel Martín Casals Divorce Mediation in Europe: An Introductory Outline, Electronic Journal of Comparative Law, vol. 9.2 (July 2005), http://www.ejcl.org • Caruana Galizia Notes on Personal Law – the relevant pages about Betrothal • Douglas W. Allen + Margaret F. Brinig, University of Iowa Legal Studies Research Paper Number 05-25 October, 2005, Bargaining in the Shadow of Child Custody • Lawrie Maloney, Do Fathers win or do Mothers lose? A Preliminary Analysis of closely contested parenting judgments in the Family Court of Australia • International Journal of Law Policy and the Family 15 (2001) 363-396 • Patrick Parkinson and Judy Cashmore, Judicial Conversations with children in parenting disputes: the views of Australian judges, International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family, 21 (2007), 160–189 • Harris, O’Boyle and Warbrick: Law of the European Convention on Human Rights Oxford University Press, Second Edition, 2009 Cases (selection) ECHR (Art 8 + 12) • Elsholz v. Germany (25735/94)[2000]ECHR • K and T v. Finland (25702/94) ECHR 12.07.2001 • Znamenskaya v. Russia 2 June 2005 • Pla and Puncernau v. Andorra 13 July 2004. • Fretté v France 26 February 2002 • E.B. v. FRANCE (Application no. 43546/02) 22 January 2008 • Zawadka v. Poland 23 June 2005. • Marckx v Belgium 1979 • Johnston v Ireland 1986 • Inze v Austria 1987 • Burghartz v Switzerland 1994 • Kroon v Netherlands 1994 • Keegan versus Ireland 18.ECHR 342.1994 • Spadea u Scalbrino v. Italy Rikors nru 12868/1987, 1 ta’ Settembru 1995 • Ebrü v Turkey, 60176/00 [2006] ECHR (30 May 2006) • Jäggi v Switzerland 58757/00 [2006] ECHR(13 July 2006) • Odièvre v France 42326/98 [2003] ECHR 86 (13 February 2003) • Pla and Puncernau v Andorra ECHR 13 July 2004 • Pini and Others v Romania ECHR 22 June 2004 (Applications nos. 78028/01 and 78030/01) FINAL 22/09/2004 • Sheffield and Horsham v. The United Kingdom, No. 31-32/19097/815- 816/1018-1019, July 30, 1998 • Christine Goodwin v. the United Kingdom (application no. 28957/95) 11 July 2002 Local Cases re Part 1 • Alexia Portelli u Wessam Mohammed Elsrmani versus il-Ministru tal-Gustizzja u l-Intern u l-Ufficcjal Principali ta’ l-Immigrazzjoni Qorti Civili Prim’Awla (Gurisdizzjoni Kostituzzjonali) 16 Awwissu 2005 Rikors Numru 43/2004/1 • Fatiha Khallouf v Il-Kummissarju tal-Pulizija et 28 ta’ Dicembru, 2001/ Rikors Nru: 24/2001 VDG PRIM’ AWLA TAL-QORTI CIVILI (Sede Kostituzzjonali) • Monchef Choubene v Kummissarju tal-Pulizija et QORTI KOSTITUZZJONALI 28 ta’ Dicembru, 2001/ Rikors numru 657/98 FS • Lanouar Bounab f’ismu proprju u in rappresentanza ta’ ibnu minuri Yousef Bounab v Avukat Generali et QORTI KOSTITUZZJONALI 27 ta' Frar, 2004 Appell Civili Numru. 20/2003/1 • Samir El Yeferni v L-Onorevoli Prim Ministru et PRIM' AWLA (GURISDIZZJONI KOSTITUZZJONALI) 28 ta' Gunju, 2005/ Rikors Numru. 9/2004/1 • Olena Tretyak v Direttur tac-Cittadinanza QORTI KOSTITUZZJONALI 16 ta' Jannar, 2006 Appell Civili Numru. 22/2005/1 • Mohannid Sogr Garzadin v L-Onorevoli Prim’Ministru et QORTI CIVILI PRIM' AWLA (GURISDIZZJONI KOSTITUZZJONALI) 31 ta' Jannar, 2006/ Rikors Numru. 35/2005 • Ronald Apap versus Ruby Ritchie pro et noe 27 ta’ Ottubru 1995 Appell Civili • Mario Buttigieg f’ismu proprju u bhala kuratur ad litem ta’ ibnu minuri Keith Buttigieg versus l-Avukat Generali u jekk jidhirlu li ghandu interess l-Onorevoli Prim Ministru 17 Jannar 1997 Rik. Kost 544/96AJM • Alexander Cauchi v Antonia Cauchi et First Hall Civil Court [Onor. P. Sciberras] 21.10.2002 • Anna Zammit v Carmelo Zammit et First Hall Civil Court [Onor. P. Sciberras] 28.2.2003 • Josianne Giusti vs Pierre Giusti et deciza fis-16 ta’ Frar, 2001 • A versus B Seduta ta' l-20 ta' Ottubru, 2006 Citazzjoni Numru. 241/2005 • Raymond Magro et v Rita Magro et noe Civil Appeal 13 June 2005 Reference 1730/1997/1 03/10/2003 CIVIL COURT, FIRST HALL [PS] • PORTELLI MARTIN vs PORTELLI REBECCA ET • Mizzi v Malta Civil Court First Hall (Constit) Onor G Caruana Demajo 6.12.1996 + Constitutional Court 15.1.2002 + ECHR (App 2611/02) 12.1.2006 • 31 ta' Ottubru, 2007 Appell Civili Numru. 57/2005/1 Dennis Thompson v.Therese Spiteri, Mario Bonello,l-Avukat Dottor Renzo Porsella Flores u l-Prokuratur Legali Liliana Buhagiar nominati kuraturi deputati biex jirrapprezentaw lill-minuri Timothy Bonello, u d-Direttur tar-Registru Pubbliku • 20/10/1960 Prim Awla QC Joseph Scicluna vs Joseph Zammit • 29/11/1952 Prim Awla QC Giuseppe Cauchi vs Gio. Maria Cauchi • 06/05/1952 Prim Awla QC Antonia Mizzi vs Stanley Chapman Et. • Fl-Atti tar-rikorsi ta’ Martin Vella pprezentati fil-25 ta’ lulju 1988 u fis-6 ta’ Ottubru 1988 fis-Sekond Awla tal-Qorti Civili Qorti Kostituzzjonali 22 April 1991(263/89) • MONREAL TERESA PRO ET vs GRECH PIJU 16/11/2004 CIVIL COURT, FIRST HALL • QORTI CIVILI (SEZZJONI TAL-FAMILJA) 14 Dicembru, 2006 Citazzjoni Numru. 15/2004 A B versus C D u d-Direttur tar-Registru Pubbliku Qorti Kostituzzjonali • 3 ta' April, 2009 Appell Civili Numru. 28/2008/1 Ruth Debono Sultana u Silvio Debono v. Dipartiment ghal Standards fil-Harsien Socjali u Ministru ghall-Politika Socjali • Court OF APPEAL (CIVIL, SUPERIOR) [VDG+AD+AJM] SCHEMBRI DAMIAN-DAMIAN vs DIRETTUR TAR-REGISTRU PUBBLIKU 16/12/2003 • QORTI CIVILI PRIM' AWLA (GURISDIZZJONI KOSTITUZZJONALI) 13 ta' Jannar, 2005, Rikors Numru. 33/2004/1 X vs L-AVUKAT GENERALI u d-Direttur tar-Registru Pubbliku • 30/06/2004 CIVIL COURT, FIRST HALL [PS] BALZAN IMQAREB NARDU vs DIRETTUR TAR-REGISTRU PUBBLIKU • 19/04/2005 Court OF APPEAL (CIVIL, SUPERIOR) [VDG+AD+AJM] FASOLO MARCELLO BASILE K/A MARCELLO * vs DIRETTUR TAR-REGISTRU PUBBLIKU ET • QK Lawrence [Roxanne] Cassar – 14 ta’ Lulju 1995 • Reference 455/1993/1 09/10/2001 CONSTITUTIONAL [CAA] GILFORD RAYMOND K/A RACHEL vs DIRETTUR TAR-REGISTRU PUBBLIKU • Reference 618/1997/1 02/11/2001 CONSTITUTIONAL [JSP+CAA+JDC] ELLUL JOSEPH M/B TRACY vs AVUKAT GENERALI ET • PA QK 2.10.2002 Mr Justice Albert Magri Rikors 617/1997/1 George Camilleri maghruf bhala Yana Camilleri Vs L-AG u DPR • F maghruf bhala M Z vs L-Avukat Generali u d-Direttur tar-Registru Pubbliku deciza fl-14 ta’Jannar 2002 [PA [GV]] • Joseph Vassallo et v. Avv. Dr Victor R. Sammut 14.04.1950 • Carmelo Mifsud et v. Maria Giordiano et 8.03.1952 • Mary Hayman pro et noe v John Hayman 16.03.1959 • QORTI CIVILI (SEZZJONI TAL-FAMILJA) 28 ta' Novembru, 2006. Citazzjoni Numru. 141/2006 A sive A B kif debitament assistita minn C B fil-kwalita’ tieghu ta’ kuratur ta’ A sive A B inabilitata permezz ta’ digriet numru 546/2002 Vs L-Avukat Dottor Anthony Cutajar u l-Prokuratur Legali Mario Mifsud Bonnici nominati b’ digriet tat-12 ta’ Mejju 2006 bhala kuraturi deputati biex jirrapprezentaw lill-assenti D E. Case Law re Part 3 (separation) separate USA • Schiavo ex rel. Schindler v. Schiavo, 358 F. Supp. 2d 1161 (M.D. Fla.), aff’d, 403 F.3d 1289 (11th Cir.) (denying injunction), reh’g en banc denied, 404 F.3d 1270 (11th Cir.), reh’g denied, 404 F.3d 1282 (11th Cir.), stay denied, 125 S. Ct. 1722 (2005). |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | |||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Ruth Farrugia Lawrence Quintano Deborah Schembri Tatiane Scicluna Cassar |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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