'The "family" as a subject of legal regulation transcends both traditional law school and legal practice categories. This fascinating collection of essays, which draws together an array of legal disciplines to explore various definitions and treatments of family throughout the law, reminds us that we are all, to some extent, family lawyers.' Jo Miles, Trinity College, University of Cambridge, UK 'A truly eye-opening and ground breaking book. With immense scholarship, it draws on a huge range of material to prompt thought - and suggest realistic solutions - for the legal problems of real families in the real twenty first century world. Anyone working with families or interested in the law affecting them, will find this book indispensable both as a stimulus and a reliable and practical guide.' Stephen Cretney, All Souls College, University of Oxford, UK '...it is near-essential reading for anyone teaching or researching in the field...The book is an invaluable tool in seeking to pin down the effect of the general law on family life and law, and vice versa.' Cambridge Law Journal 'This collection will be a very useful resource for anyone concerned with the laws affecting the family. I certainly expect to reach for this book as a very helpful reference point whenever I am confronted with any one of the wide range of legal issues that this volume addresses so masterfully.' Feminist Legal Studies 'This short review cannot do justice to the range and depth of the coverage of individual areas presented in this book. Suffice to say it is essential reading for anyone interested in the development and scope of family law and its interaction with other aspects of law which impact on the lives of people in multifarious familial relationships.' SCOLAG