Gillian Douglas examines family law in England and Wales within a broad social context. The book explores how the law regulates family life, beginning with a discussion of the main social changes and influences on family law in modern society. It then examines which family relationships are legally recognised and the legal consequences that flow from recognition and non-recognition.

Family Law provides a detailed account of how children's interests are viewed and protected in family law, and concludes with a consideration of how the law handles the ending of family relationships. Throughout, the book draws out the linkages between different aspects of the subject and its relationship with other areas of the law and with other disciplines.

Gillian Douglas also takes full account of the influence of international law, particularly human rights law under the newly incorporated European Convention on Human Rights.