This book examines the questions at the heart of family law, rethinking the ideas that shape our understanding of the family as a social unit, its purpose, and the obligations and rights that belong to family members. It develops an original theory for understanding family law's aims centred on respect for personal intimacy.

John Eekelaar is Academic Director and Emeritus Fellow, Pembroke College, Oxford

• Introduction


• Power


• Friendship


• Truth


• Respect


• Responsibility


• Rights


• Community