Course Title and Purpose1. Course Title
COMPARATIVE FAMILY LAW: Serbian (Montenegrin) and West and East European Legal Systems

2. Aims of the Course:
The main aims of this course are:
:: To describe and explain students similarities and differences in Family Law of West European countries and East European countries
:: To point out changes in Family Law of East European countries as a consequence of transitional period (particularly Serbian and Russian Family Law)
:: To explain new institutions and trends in Comparative Family Law
:: To point out decisions of European Court of Human Rights on family life
Course Delivery3. Contents:
I Law on Marriage and Partnerships
1. The Marriage
Capacity to Marry, Formalities of Marriage
Property Regime in Marriage, Marriage Contracts, Family Home
Grounds for Divorce
2. The Partnerships
Unmarried Cohabitation
Same Sex Partnership
II Child Law
Parentage: Maternity and Paternity, particularly as a consequence of medically assisted conception
Parental Custody
Rights of the child

4. Indicative Reading:
Family Law in Europe, London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Butterworths, 1995.
The International Survey of Family Law (2000-2005)
Conferences of International Society of Family Law - materials

5. Learning and Teaching Methods:

Total Contact Hours:   28

Lectures: one hour per week (total 28)

Range of other Learning Methods:
Independent learning, writing papers

Total Study Hours:    150
Course Assessment6. Course Learning Outcomes:
After taking this course, students will be able to:
:: Describe basic institutions in family law of European countries in Western and Eastern Europe
:: Understand changes in Family Law of East European countries as a consequence of transitional period (particularly Serbian and Russian Family Law)
:: Understand basic problems in family law of European countries and cases before European court of human rights
:: Explain new tendencies in development of modern Family law

7. Assessment Methods:
Number, Type and Weighting of Elements:
Assessment is by oral exam (50%), one paper written during the semester (25%), oral course work (25%).
Course Management 8. Credit Points and Duration:
8 credit points; duration of the course is one semester

9. Contact Person:
Professor Gordana Kovaček Stanić
E-mails: Gkstanic@eunet.yu, Gkstanic@pf.ns.ac.yu