Overview

This book argues that insufficient recognition of new families is a legal problem that needs fixing in light of recent evolutions in family patterns and normative conceptions of ‘family’. People increasingly invest in relationships falling outside the model of the marital family, such as non-conjugal unions of friends or relatives, polyamorous relationships and various religious-based families. Despite this, Western jurisdictions retain the marital family as the relevant basis for allocating family law benefits, rights and obligations. Part I of the book illustrates recent evolutions in family patterns and norms, and explores how law can accommodate multiple family grids without legal recognition involving normalisation. Part II focuses on courtroom litigation on the basis that courts nowadays are central avenues of social change. It takes non-conjugal families as a case study and provides an analysis of the most compelling argumentative strategies that non-conjugal families can mobilise to pursue legal recognition in Canada and the United States, and within the systems of the European Convention of Human Rights and the European Union. Through its comparative, interdisciplinary and critical legal method, the book provides scholars, activists and policymakers with conceptual tools to tackle the current invisibility of new families. Further, by advancing legal arguments to enhance the protection of non-conjugal families in courtrooms, the book illuminates the different approaches jurisdictions are likely to take and the hindrances thereof to overcome and debunk stereotypes associated with proper familyhood.

Full Product Details

Author:   Nausica Palazzo (NOVA School of Law, Portugal)
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Imprint:   Hart Publishing
ISBN:  

9781509947249

ISBN 10:   1509947248
Pages:   248
Publication Date:   24 November 2022
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Tertiary & Higher Education
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Manufactured on demand  
We will order this item for you from a manufactured on demand supplier.

Table of Contents

PART I NEW FAMILIES AND LAW-MAKERS 1. New Families 1. What is the 'New' Family? I. Evolution in Family Patterns II. Evolution in Normative Conceptions of Family III. Law's Friction with the 'New' Family 2. Methodology I. Why Legal Strategies? II. Why Focus on Non-Conjugal Couples? III. The Comparative Method and Family Law 2. Recognition Models Introduction 1. Discarded Remedy I. Marriage 2. Potential Remedies I. Ascription II. The Contractual Model III. Registration IV. Hybrid Models Conclusion: A Better Model? PART II NON-CONJUGAL FAMILIES BEFORE THE COURTS 3. The United States Introduction 1. The Changed Landscape of Family Structures and Family Law in the US 2. Venue I. Constitutional Litigation II. Family Law Litigation 3. Remedy I. Constitutional Litigation: An Area-Specific Approach II. Family Law Litigation: An Area-Specific Approach 4. Legal Arguments in Constitutional Litigation I. Equal Protection II. Due Process III. Freedom of Association 5. Legal Arguments in Family Law Litigation I. Judicial Updating II. The Over-Inclusiveness and Under-Inclusiveness of Marriage Conclusion 4. Canada Introduction 1. The Changed Landscape of Family Structures and Family Law in Canada 2. Venue I. Constitutional Litigation II. Human Rights Litigation 3. Remedy I. Constitutional Litigation: An Area-Specific Approach II. Human Rights Litigation: An Area-Specific Approach 4. Legal Arguments in Constitutional Litigation I. Marital Status Discrimination II. Family Status Discrimination 5. Legal Arguments in Human Rights Litigation I. Family and Civil Status Discrimination Conclusion 5. The European Convention on Human Rights Introduction 1. The Changed Landscape of Family Structures and Family Law in Europe I. The Subconstitutional Landscape II. The Constitutional Landscape 2. Venue 3. Remedy I. Stage 1: An Area-Specific Approach II. Stage 2: A Comprehensive Approach (Registration) 4. Legal Arguments before the ECtHR I. Stage 1: Protection of Family Life and Ban on Discrimination II. Stage 1: Protection of Property and Ban on Discrimination III. Stage 1: General Ban on Discrimination IV. Stage 2: Oliari-Style Protection of Family Life Conclusion 6. The European Union 1. The EU and Family Law: A Complex Relationship 2. Remedy I. An Area-Specific Approach 3. The Relevant Jurisprudence of the Court of Justice I. The Employment Equality Directive II. Staff Regulations III. The Citizens' Rights Directive Concluding Remarks Conclusion

Reviews

A compelling exposition of how family law has fallen behind the social changes of recent decades ... it opens the eyes of the reader to a significantly under explored and undertheorized demographic: those in non-conjugal relationships. --Jurisprudence Stimulating and rigorous ... Unquestionably, the book advances reflection on the recognition of non-conjugal relationships, complementing empirical work, and subsequent interventions in those debates will need to engage with its rich contributions. --International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family

A compelling exposition of how family law has fallen behind the social changes of recent decades ... it opens the eyes of the reader to a significantly under explored and undertheorized demographic: those in non-conjugal relationships. --Jurisprudence

Author Information

Nausica Palazzo is Assistant Professor in Constitutional Law at NOVA School of Law in Lisbon, Portugal.

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