Speaker: Dr Anna Heenan (University of Cambridge)

There is a tension at the heart of family law and policy between the increasing influence of individual autonomy and the demands of caring for children. Individual autonomy envisages decisions made in one's own best interests, whereas decisions around care are often made for the good of the family, and may conflict with the caregiver's individual (financial) interests. Whereas individual autonomy valorises economic self-sufficiency, caregiving responsibilities constrain choice and conflict with paid work. This seminar explores this central tension and considers the role of family law in addressing it.

Anna Heenan is an Assistant Professor in Family Law in the Faculty of Law, and Fellow in Law at Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge. She has published on a range of family law issues. Her current research focuses on the financial consequences of relationship breakdown. Anna is a case notes editor for the Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law. Anna was previously a solicitor in practice.

This seminar was co-hosted by the Cambridge Socio-Legal Group (https://www.law.cam.ac.uk/researchfaculty-centres-networks-and-groups/cambridge-socio-legal-group), an interdisciplinary discussion forum promoting debate on topical socio-legal issues and empirical research methodology, and the Cambridge Family Law Centre (https://www.family.law.cam.ac.uk/).

This entry provides an audio source for iTunes.