Лектор докладно проаналізувала разом з учасниками ключові понятті і проблеми сімейного права, а саме:

• 1. Вступ. Огляд ключового лексичного матеріалу за темою «Сімейне право».
• 2. Marrige: поняття, умови укладання шлюбу, державна реєстрація шлюбу, недійсність шлюбу в англо-американській правовій системі.
• 3.Prenuptial agreement vs marriage contract vs separation contract: поняття та зміст дошлюбної угоди, шлюбного контракту, контракту про розірвання шлюбу.
• 4. Dissolution of marrige: поняття, підстави та розірвання шлюбу.
• 5. Child custody and support: правовідносини батьків і дітей щодо утримання. Усиновлення.
• 6. Spousal support (alimony): права та обов’язки подружжя з утримання.

У рамках характеристики сімейного права акцентовано на наступному:

1. Вступ. Огляд ключового лексичного матеріалу за темою «Сімейне право»

Short Characteristics of Family Law:

• Personal in Nature;
• Evolving;
• Protective;
• Jurisdiction-Specifi;
• Regulatory;
• Dispute Resolution-Focused.

Definitions of family law: the body of law related to family relationships especially divorce, child custody and adoption. Ex.”They said it was their duty to teach parents about family law.

The leading case on the meaning of family in the law is Fitzpatrick v Sterling Housing Association Ltd (The UK):

In Fitzpatrick v Sterling Housing Association Ltd [1999] UKHL 42, the House of Lords considered the legal definition of “family” in the context of tenancy rights under the Rent Act 1977. The key issue was whether a same-sex partner could qualify as a “family member” for the purpose of inheriting a statutory tenancy.

Definition of Family from Fitzpatrick Case The court held that the term “family” should be interpreted broadly and not be confined solely to traditional blood or marital relationships. It recognized that long-term, committed, and stable relationships— including same-sex partnerships—could fall within the legal meaning of “family.” Lord Nicholls stated that family is defined by the existence of a close, stable, and permanent relationship, rather than solely by legal marriage or biological ties. This judgment marked a shift towards a more inclusive and evolving concept of family in law.

Якщо будь-яка сторона, що бажає укласти шлюб, вже є одруженою, він або вона не є правоможною укладати інший шлюб. Одружена особа, яка усвідомлено укладає інший шлюб, вчиняє бігамію (двоєженство або двоємужжя).

Бігамія є злочином, а другий шлюб, який має намір укласти така особа, є не чинним. Аби укласти шлюб, слід попередньо звернутися із заявою до суду у справах успадкування для отримання відповідного дозволу.

2. Marrige: поняття, умови укладання шлюбу, державна реєстрація шлюбу, недійсність шлюбу в англо-американській правовій системі

Key Conditions (the UK):

These conditions ensure that both parties enter into the marriage freely, with full consent, and meet the legal requirements set by the law.

• Age Requirement: both parties must be at least 16 years old to marry.
• Consent: both parties must give free and informed consent to the marriage.
• Mental Capacity: both parties must have the mental capacity to understand the nature of marriage and its responsibilities.
• Marital Status: both parties must be single, divorced, or widowed. A bigamous marriage (marrying while already legally married to another person) is not allowed.
• Prohibited Degrees of Relationship: the parties must not be closely related. Marriages between certain relatives, such as between siblings, parents and children, or between aunts/uncles and nieces/nephews, are prohibited.
• Formalities of Marriage Ceremony: the marriage must be conducted in an authorized venue (e.g., a church, registry office, or approved building).
• Legal Capacity: both parties must be free to marry, meaning they are not already married to someone else.
• Marriage Registration: after the ceremony, the marriage must be registered with the relevant authorities, and the marriage certificate issued as proof.

Four categories of Marriages (the UK):

1. Valid Marriage.

A legally recognized marriage that meets all legal requirements, including:

• Proper ceremony and registration.
• Both parties have capacity (age, consent, etc.).
• No prohibited relationships (e.g., siblings).

2. Non-Marriage (Ceremony of No Legal Significance).

A ceremony that does not meet legal requirements and has no legal effect. Examples:

• A purely religious ceremony with no civil registration.
• A ceremony conducted by someone not authorized to perform marriages.
• Informal cultural ceremonies.

3. Voidable Marriage (Can be annulled).

A marriage that is legally valid until one party challenges it in court. Grounds include:

• Lack of consummation (except for same-sex marriages).
• Lack of valid consent (e.g., duress, mistaken identity).
• Mental incapacity at the time of marriage.
• One party had a sexually transmitted infection at the time of marriage.

4. Void Marriage (Never legally valid).

A marriage that is automatically invalid from the beginning. Reasons include:

• One party was already married (bigamy).
• The couple is closely related (e.g., siblings).
• Marriage did not follow legal formalities.

Sham marriages: a sham marriage is a marriage entered into for the purpose of circumventing immigration or other legal requirements, rather than for genuine, lawful reasons.

Leading Case: R v Shah (1999): In the R v Shah case, the Court of Appeal dealt with a sham marriage for immigration purposes. The defendant was found guilty of knowingly entering into a marriage that was not genuine, which was aimed at securing immigration status. This case set a precedent for the enforcement of laws against sham marriages in the UK, emphasizing that immigration benefits should not be obtained through fraudulent or deceptive means.

A marriage license (the USA): In the USA, a marriage license is a legal document issued by a state or local government that authorizes two individuals to marry. It is required in all states to legally marry, and it must be obtained before the wedding ceremony can take place.

Key steps:

• Some states require blood tests or health certificates (though this is becoming less common).
• Wait before getting the license.
• Have a wedding.

After the service performed by state official the couple will receive a marriage certificate.

Common-law marriage:

In the UK, common-law marriage —where a couple lives together as if married without having a formal ceremony or marriage license — is not recognized.

The idea of a “common-law marriage” is often misunderstood, as it has no legal status in England and Wales.

3.Prenuptial agreement vs marriage contract vs separation contract: поняття та зміст дошлюбної угоди, шлюбного контракту, контракту про розірвання шлюбу

Marriage Contract in the UK:

• Prenuptial agreement (prenup).
• Postnuptial agreement.

These are legal agreements between spouses that outline how their assets, finances, and property will be divided in case of divorce or separation.

Key Points:

• Prenuptial Agreement: Signed before marriage to set financial arrangements.
• Postnuptial Agreement: Signed after marriage but serves the same purpose.
• Not automatically legally binding: UK courts consider these agreements but can override them if deemed unfair or if proper disclosure and fairness were not ensured.

Case Law: Radmacher v Granatino (2010) – A landmark case where the UK Supreme Court ruled that prenuptial agreements should be upheld if they are fair and freely entered into.

Separation Agreement:

A separation agreement is a legally binding contract between a couple who decide to live apart but do not yet wish to divorce or dissolve their civil partnership.

Key Points:

• Covers division of assets, spousal maintenance, child custody, and other financial matters.
• Courts may uphold it if both parties entered freely with full financial disclosure.
• It can later form the basis of a divorce financial settlement.

Jurisdiction – the UK Law:

• England & Wales: Not automatically legally binding but can be upheld by courts if fair.
• Scotland: More legally enforceable under contract law.
• Northern Ireland: Similar to England & Wales but with some variations in enforceability.

4. Dissolution of marrige: поняття, підстави та розірвання шлюбу

Dissolution of marriage refers to the legal termination of a marriage, bringing it to an official end through divorce or annulment.

In the UK Marriage can be dissolved through:

• a divorce (if legally valid);
• an annulment (if void or voidable).

Divorce in the UK: Key Information:

1. In the UK , divorce is the legal process that ends a marriage.
2. It is governed by the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, which introduced the “no – fault divorce” system from April 6, 2022.
3. This means that couples no longer need to prove fault (such as adultery or unreasonable behavior) to obtain a divorce.

Key Divorce Terms in the UK:

Decree Nisi (Conditional Order) – A court order stating that the court sees no reason why the divorce cannot proceed. It is the first step toward finalizing the divorce but does not legally end the marriage.

Decree Absolute (Final Order) – The final court order that legally ends the marriage. It can be applied for at least six weeks and one day after the Decree Nisi (Conditional Order).

Since April 2022, the terms Conditional Order (instead of Decree Nisi) and Final Order (instead of Decree Absolute) are used under the no-fault divorce system.

5. Child custody and support: правовідносини батьків і дітей щодо утримання. Усиновлення

The law requires employers to allow employees to take up to 12 weeks of job protected leave to nurse or care for newborn, adopted, or foster children; to nurse seriously ill parents, spouses, or children; or to recover from serious illness.

Закон вимагає від роботодавців надавати (терміном до 12 тижнів) відпустку (із збереженням робочого місця) для догляду за новонародженими, усиновленими чи прийомними дітьми; для догляду за серйозно хворими батьками, іншим із подружжя чи дітьми або на період їх одужання від тяжких хвороб.

Child Custody & Support in the UK:

• Parental Responsibility – Legal rights and duties to care for and make decisions about a child’s upbringing.
• Child Arrangements Order – A court order deciding where a child lives and who they spend time with.
• Residence (Living Arrangements) – Where the child primarily lives. Contact (Visitation) – The time a child spends with the nonresident parent.
• Sole Custody – One parent has full responsibility (rare in the UK).
• Shared Custody (Joint Custody) – Both parents share parenting responsibilities.
• Best Interests of the Child – The key principle courts use to make decisions.
• Child Maintenance (Child Support) – Financial support from the non-resident parent.
• CMS (Child Maintenance Service) – The government agency that calculates and enforces child support payments.

Key Aspects of Child Custody & Support in the UK:

Parental Responsibility

• Mothers automatically have it.
• Fathers have it if:

• They were married to the mother.
• They are named on the birth certificate (after December 1, 2003, in England & Wales).
• They obtain a court order or agreement.

Child Custody (Arrangements After Separation):

Parents are encouraged to agree on child arrangements voluntarily.

If disputes arise, courts issue a Child Arrangements Order based on the child’s best interests.

Child Maintenance (Support Payments):

• Non-resident parents must contribute financially.
• Payments depend on income, number of children, and living arrangements.
• Can be agreed privately or calculated by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS).

6. Spousal support (alimony): права та обов’язки подружжя з утримання

Spousal Maintenance the UK:

Spousal Maintenance – Regular financial payments made by one ex-spouse to the other after divorce to support their financial needs if they cannot support themselves.

Alimony the USA:

Alimony – A court-ordered financial support payment made by one ex-spouse to the other after divorce to help maintain their standard of living. Also called “spousal support” or “spousal maintenance.“

Key Aspects of Spousal Support in the UK:

• Not Automatic – Spousal maintenance is not guaranteed and depends on factors like income, earning capacity, and financial needs.

• Length of Marriage Matters – Long marriages (10+ years) are more likely to lead to longer-term maintenance orders.

• Goal of Financial Independence – Courts prefer a clean break where possible, encouraging the lower-earning spouse to become self-sufficient.

• Modification or Termination – Payments can be reviewed or stopped if circumstances change (e.g., the recipient remarries or gains employment).

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