General Course Information
1.1 Course details
| Course code: | LLAW3043 |
| Course name: | Principles of Family Law |
| Programme offered under: | LLB Programme |
| Semester: | Second |
| Designated research course: | Not applicable |
| Specialization: | Not applicable |
| Prerequisites / Co-requisites: | No |
| Course offered to non-law students: | No |
| Credit point value: | 6 credits |
1.2 Course description
This course provides students with a foundational understanding of the basic legal principles governing family law in Hong Kong. Key topics include marriage, divorce, arrangements relating to children, financial provisions and cross-border disputes. In addition, students will receive an introduction to the procedures and processes of the Family Court, equipping them with essential knowledge for navigating the legal landscape of family-related disputes and resolutions.
1.3 Course teachers
| Name | E-mail address | Office | Consultation | |
| Course convenor | Sam Liu | shanliu2@hku.hk | TBA | By email |
1.4 Course outline (for elective course)
| Please click the link here for the course outline (HKU Portal login required). |
Learning Outcomes
2.1 Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) for this course
CLO 1 Explain and compare the different types of marriage in Hong Kong.
CLO 2 Critically anaylse the ground of divorce and apply in different factual scenarios.
CLO 3 Understand and justify the law relating to children and children’s arrangement.
CLO 4 Interpret and apply the financial reliefs available in family proceedings.
CLO 5 Describe and outline the Family Court procedures.
To be advised by course convenor(s).
2.2 LLB Programme Learning Outcomes (PLOs)
Please refer to the following link: https://course.law.hku.hk/llb-plo/
2.3 Programme Learning Outcomes to be achieved in this course
| PLO A | PLO B | PLO C | PLO D | PLO E | PLO F | |
| CLO 1 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 3 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 4 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CLO 5 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Assessment(s)
3.1 Assessment Summary
| Assessment task | Weighting | Feedback method* | Course learning outcomes |
| Participation | 20% | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | |
| Group presentation | 30% | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | |
| In-hall exam | 50% | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 |
| *Feedback method (to be determined by course teacher) | |
| 1 | A general course report to be disseminated through Moodle |
| 2 | Individual feedback to be disseminated by email / through Moodle |
| 3 | Individual review meeting upon appointment |
| 4 | Group review meeting |
| 5 | In-class verbal feedback |
3.2 Assessment Detail
To be advised by course convenor(s). See also Course Outline above.
3.3 Grading Criteria
Please refer to the following link: https://www.law.hku.hk/_files/law_programme_grade_descriptors.pdf
Learning Activities
4.1 Learning Activity Plan
| Seminar: | 3 hour-seminar in an intensive mode in October / November 2023 |
| Private study time: | 9.5 hours / week for 12 teaching weeks |
Remarks: the normative student study load per credit unit is 25 ± 5 hours (ie. 150 ± 30 hours for a 6-credit course), which includes all learning activities and experiences within and outside of classroom, and any assessment task and examinations and associated preparations.
4.2 Details of Learning Activities
To be advised by course convenor(s).
Learning Resources
5.1 Resources
| Reading materials: | Reading materials are posted on Moodle |
| Core reading list: | Prof. Athena Liu, Family Law for the Hong Kong SAR, HKU Press
Family Law & Practice in Hong Kong, 4th Edition, Sweet & Maxwell |
| Recommended reading list: | TBA |
5.2 Links
Please refer to the following link: http://www.law.hku.hk/course/learning-resources/