Sources of Family Law: A Comprehensive Guide for LLM Students

Question 1

Which of these is NOT a source of family law in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Religious texts

Answer

Statutes

Answer

Case law

Answer

Academic writings

Question 2

Which court in the United Kingdom has the ultimate authority on family law matters?

Accepted Answer

Supreme Court

Answer

Court of Appeal

Answer

High Court

Answer

Family Court

Question 3

Which statute introduced the concept of 'no-fault divorce' in England and Wales?

Accepted Answer

Family Law Act 1996

Answer

Children Act 1989

Answer

Adoption and Children Act 2002

Answer

Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013

Question 4

The principle of 'stare decisis' establishes that:

Accepted Answer

Lower courts must follow the decisions of higher courts.

Answer

Judges are free to interpret the law as they see fit.

Answer

Only the most recent court decisions are binding.

Answer

Case law is not a reliable source of family law.

Question 5

Which legal scholar is considered a pioneer in the field of family law in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Patrick Atiyah

Answer

H.L.A. Hart

Answer

Jeremy Bentham

Answer

Mary Ann Glendon

Question 6

The concept of 'surrogacy' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The practice of carrying a pregnancy for another person.

Answer

The legal process of adopting a child.

Answer

The transfer of property from one person to another.

Answer

The legal status of a child born out of wedlock.

Question 7

Which of the following is a leading case on the issue of parental responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Re G (Minors) (Parental Responsibility) [1985]

Answer

Gillick v. West Norfolk and Wisbech Area Health Authority [1985]

Answer

In re B (A Minor) (Adoption) [1988]

Answer

White v. White [2000]

Question 8

How does the concept of "family" differ across different cultural and historical contexts?

Accepted Answer

The concept of family varies depending on cultural and historical factors.

Answer

The concept of family is universal and unchanging.

Answer

The concept of family is only relevant to Western societies.

Answer

The concept of family has no legal significance.

Question 9

Which of the following factors is NOT a key characteristic of a family?

Accepted Answer

Shared religious beliefs

Answer

Common residence

Answer

Mutual affection and support

Answer

Biological or legal ties

Question 10

The Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Primary legislation

Answer

Secondary legislation

Answer

Case law

Answer

Academic writing

Question 11

What is the primary purpose of the Child Arrangements Order?

Accepted Answer

To regulate the arrangements for a child's upbringing

Answer

To determine the legal residence of a child

Answer

To establish the financial responsibility for a child

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT a relevant consideration when determining the best interests of a child?

Accepted Answer

The financial circumstances of the parents

Answer

The wishes and feelings of the child

Answer

The physical and emotional needs of the child

Answer

The child's cultural heritage

Question 13

In family law, distinguish between common law and civil law systems based on their historical and contemporary approaches.

Accepted Answer

Common law systems rely on judicial precedent, while civil law systems prioritize written statutes.

Accepted Answer

Civil law systems are prevalent in Europe, while common law systems are common in countries like the US and UK.

Answer

Civil law systems are generally more flexible than common law systems.

Answer

Common law systems offer stronger individual rights protections than civil law systems.

Question 14

Which court in England and Wales has exclusive jurisdiction over family law matters?

Accepted Answer

Family Court

Answer

High Court of Justice

Answer

Court of Appeal

Answer

Supreme Court

Question 15

Identify the statement that is NOT a valid source of family law in the United Kingdom.

Accepted Answer

Religious texts

Answer

Judicial precedents

Answer

Scholarly publications

Answer

Statutory legislation

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of statutory legislation in family law?

Accepted Answer

Matrimonial Causes Act 1973

Answer

The Best Interests of the Child Principle

Answer

Donoghue v Stevenson

Answer

Hart and Honoré's 'Causation in the Law'

Question 17

In what way do academic writings influence family law development?

Accepted Answer

Providing new perspectives and arguments

Answer

Establishing binding legal principles

Answer

Overturning existing legislation

Answer

Creating enforceable court orders

Question 18

The incorporation of which document into UK law significantly impacted family law?

Accepted Answer

European Convention on Human Rights

Answer

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Answer

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Answer

Convention on the Rights of the Child

Question 19

Which fundamental principle heavily shapes the development of family law in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Prioritizing the best interests of the child

Answer

Ensuring parental authority

Answer

Minimizing state intervention

Answer

Upholding individual autonomy

Question 20

What is the term used to describe the coexistence of multiple legal systems governing family matters?

Accepted Answer

Legal pluralism

Answer

Conflict of laws

Answer

Extraterritorial jurisdiction

Answer

Legal dualism

Question 21

Identify a potential limitation of relying on academic writings as a source of family law.

Accepted Answer

Subjectivity and lack of binding legal authority

Answer

Overreliance on historical precedents

Answer

Inaccessibility due to technical language

Answer

Irrelevance to current legal issues

Question 22

What is the term for the authority of courts to develop family law through their decisions?

Accepted Answer

Judicial law-making

Answer

Common law

Answer

Delegated legislation

Answer

Equity

Question 23

Which advantage is associated with using legislation as a source of family law?

Accepted Answer

Provision of clear and authoritative legal rules

Answer

Limited scope for interpretation

Answer

Accessibility to non-legal professionals

Answer

Flexibility to adapt to societal changes