There have been enormous developments in policy, law and practice since the first edition of
Child and Family Law was published in 1999. The full implications of the
Children (Scotland) Act 1995 have been worked through and fresh approaches have been found for children in changing and troubled families. A much broader range of adult relationships are now recognised by the legal system, with implications not only for the formation and consequences of these relationships, but also for what happens on breakdown. Technology and innovative approaches to dispute resolution have had an impact.
The second edition is a comprehensive and authoritative text designed to assist practitioners, students and scholars with this increasingly complex area of law. Founded solidly in Scots law and incorporating the human rights dimension and empirical data, this text examines policy and practice as well as comparative and international solutions to the challenges facing the family and the legal system today.
Full account is taken of statutory developments including the
Adoption and Children (Scotland) Act, the
Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, the
Civil Partnership Act 2004, the
Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006, the
Gender Recognition Act 2004, the
Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003, the
Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences (Scotland) Act 2005 and the
Vulnerable Witnesses (Scotland) Act 2005.