Network on Family Regulation and Society news archive 2016-2024
See also news from Exeter Law School
The 2024 Baroness Butler-Sloss and FRS Network Annual Family Law Lecture
This year's lecture will be delivered by Professor Emerita Judith Masson on 20 February.
The 2023 Baroness Butler-Sloss and FRS Network Annual Family Law Lecture delivered online by Dr Andrew Hayward
Dr Andrew Hayward gave the lecture on the important topic Unlocking Cohabitation Reform in England and Wales: New Dimensions and Directions.
The 2022 Baroness Butler-Sloss Annual Family Law Lecture delivered online by Professor Gillian Douglas
Professor Gillian Douglas FBA, FAcSS gave the 2022 GW4 Family Regulation and Society Network and Exeter Law School Baroness Butler-Sloss Annual Family Law Lecture on the intriguing and important topic Achieving Family Law Reform: Evolution vs. Revolution.
Laws governing weddings are outdated and too restrictive in contemporary society, new research shows
Current laws governing weddings are too outdated and restrictive and do not reflect the diversity of faith and beliefs in modern society, a new report from experts at the Universities of Warwick and Exeter highlights.
Impact of COVID-19 on weddings reinforces need for marriage law reforms, experts say
Coronavirus disruption to weddings has highlighted the complexity and antiquity of marriage law and reinforced the need for reform, a new study shows.
The 2021 Baroness Butler-Sloss Annual Family Law Lecture given by Baroness Hale of Richmond
Baroness Hale of Richmond, DBE PC FBA, former President of the Supreme Court gave the 2021 GW4 Family Regulation and Society Network and Exeter Law School Baroness Butler-Sloss Annual Family Law Lecture on the topical subject of “Family Law in a Crisis".
Couples who married in alternative wedding ceremonies needed to help with new research project
Couples who chose to marry in an alternative wedding ceremony can take part in a major new research project which will shed light on the demand for non-legal marriage services in England and Wales.
Research into what helps couples to thrive used to teach teenagers about healthy relationships
Research showing the key features of healthy relationships will be used in schools around the country to help teenagers learn how to build healthy relationships of their own.
Video link weddings should be allowed to help the desperately ill during the coronavirus pandemic, expert recommends
Weddings via video link should be allowed for those desperately ill during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a leading marriage-law expert.
Couples should work as a team and make plans for the future to ensure their relationship thrives during coronavirus lockdown, experts say
Couples trying to cope with the coronavirus lockdown should work as a team and make future plans to keep their relationship strong during the crisis, experts have said.
Almost half of us mistakenly believe that common law marriage exists
Almost half of people in England and Wales mistakenly believe that unmarried couples who live together have a common law marriage and enjoy the same rights as couples that are legally married.
Religious vows, readings and music should be allowed in civil marriage, study shows
Couples marrying in civil ceremonies should be allowed to have religious vows, rituals, readings, and music as part of their ceremony for the first time, a major new study has concluded.
Asking ten “critical” questions before embarking on a serious relationship can help couples thrive
Asking ten “critical” questions before embarking on a serious relationship can help couples thrive, according to a new study backed by the prominent divorce lawyer Baroness Fiona Shackleton.
Professor Rebecca Probert appears on Who Do You Think You Are?
Professor Probert helped Olivia Colman to unravel the story of her great-great-great-great-grandfather Richard Campbell Bazett.
New law designed to encourage first major reforms to divorce in 50 years published
Draft legislation designed to encourage the Government to make the first major changes to divorce legislation
Book on Mapping Paths to Family Justice shortlisted for prestigious prize
Anne Barlow and colleagues' book Mapping Paths to Family Justice: Resolving Family Disputes in Neoliberal Times (Palgrave, 2017) has been shortlisted for the prestigious Socio-Legal Studies Association Book Prize 2018.
Anne Barlow presenting at the 'Empowering European Families' project final conference in Germany
The Working Group looks at ways to resolve the complex legal position of 'international couples' within the EU when relationships break down or one partner dies.
Divorce law in England and Wales increases conflict and suffering for separating couples and their children
Divorce law in England and Wales is incentivising people to exaggerate claims of ‘behaviour’ or adultery to get a quicker divorce, according to University of Exeter research.
Exeter law professor addresses first National Convention for Celebrants
Where and how can one get married in England and Wales, and why is the law here more restrictive than in other jurisdictions?
Devon cohabiting couples needed to help researchers uncover the secret of finding life-long love
Devon cohabiting couples can help experts uncover the secret of finding life-long love by taking part in a University of Exeter research project.
Outdated divorce law causes needlessly painful and destructive breakups, new research finds
Outdated divorce law is causing needlessly painful and destructive breakups and exacerbating conflict between couples, a major new study has found.
Renowned scholar in family law and feminist jurisprudence joins as Visiting Professor
The Law School are delighted that Professor Cynthia Bowman from Cornell Law School has joined us as a Visiting Professor until May 2017
Celebrity divorce lawyer backs research to help strengthen couple relationships
Prominent divorce lawyer Baroness Shackleton is funding new University of Exeter research which could help uncover the secret of finding life-long love.
Do you know what makes couple relationships last?
We are now recruiting couples to take part in interviews to find out what drives their relationship to thrive and endure.
New Relationships Research starts!
We are pleased to announce the start of a new research project funded by Exeter alumna, Baroness Shackleton of Belgravia LVO.