The law governing family relationships has changed dramatically in the course of the last century and this book - drawing extensively on both published and archival material and on legal as well as other sources - gives an account of the processes and problems of reform. Much of the work of the courts was concerned with marriage and divorce, but there were also major changes in the legal position of married women and reform in all these areas was hotly controversial. Family Law in the Twentieth Century gives full accounts of how the law has dealt with the relationship between children and their families, and the increasing involvement of the state in seeking to prevent abuse of children and providing for the needy. The book gives a revealing account of the processes of change and of the influence of pressure groups, civil servants, and judges, as well as individual campaigners.

About the Author
Stephen Cretney was a practising solicitor in the City of London from his graduation until 1965. Thereafter, he held academic posts, becoming Quarrell Fellow and Tutor in Law at Exeter College Oxford, in 1969. Beween 1978 and 1984, he served as a Law Commissioner before becoming Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Law at Bristol University. From 1993 until retirement he was a Senior Research Fellow at All Souls College, Oxford. He is a Fellow of the British Academy and a Queen's Counsel honoris causa.

Reviews
...will be of consuming interest, not merely to family lawyers but to everyone who seeks novel and illumination insights into the social and political history of the last 150 years. It is a staggering and triumphant achievement...and now it is available to all * The Hon Mr Justice Munby, Family Law, November 2004 *
Stephen Cretney's dry, clear and unemotional style provides a welcome antidote to a world in which the outcome of family cases can drive men to dress as superheroes, climb courthouses and cranes, and bring the City to a standstill for six days. * Justin Warshaw, Times Literary Supplement *
Few people are better qualified to write this history. * Justin Warshaw, Times Literary Supplement *
One cannot fail to be impressed with [Cretney's] command of the subject. * Professor Lawrence M. Friedman, Law and Politics Book Review, February 2004 *
Professor Cretney has carried out his Herculean task not only with erudition and insight, but also with wit and panache. It is immensely enjoyable... * Mavis Maclean, Legal Studies *
...immense scholarship...meticulous care and ...skillful writing...a monumental work of outstanding merit...No serious family law scholar can afford not to read it...confirms Cretney's place as the UK's foremost family law scholar. * Professor Nigel Lowe, International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family *
...essential to all those who want to think about family law...will be consulted for centuries... * Nicholas Wilson, Judge of the High Court of Justice, Family Division, The Law Quarterly Review *
... a truly remarkable book ... will be of consuming interest, not merely to family lawyers but to everyone who seeks novel and illuminating insights into the social and political history of the last 150 years. It is a staggering and triumphant achievement ... and now it is available to all. * The Hon Mr Justice Munby, Family Law *
[A] magisterial volume * Chris Barton, Professor of Family Law and Vice-President of the Family Mediators Association, Family Law Journal *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199280919
Author Stephen Cretney
Format Paperback
Page Count 976
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 1g
Dimensions(mm) 233mm * 155mm * 53mm