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Book review: Barlow’s Cohabitants and the Law (Fourth Edition)

18 October 2018 / Graeme Fraser
Issue: 7813 / Categories: Features
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“While most recommended books on cohabitation law centre on property claims, this is one of the best general guides around for all aspects of cohabitation law”

  • Author: David Josiah-Lake
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Professional
  • ISBN: 9781526503046
  • Pages: 359
  • RRP: £75.00

This book ambitiously attempts to summarise cohabitation law in the absence of specific family legislation. Given that the last edition was written in 2001, this new edition reflects legal recognition of same-sex relationships; developments in domestic abuse legislation; the introduction of child arrangements orders; and the up-to-date case law in relation to constructive and resulting trusts in a domestic property situation.

Living together

The first part of the book centres on living together. Cohabitation contracts are examined in useful detail, with helpful guidance as to their enforceability. A chapter on the status of children analyses changes made to parentage, while summarising the rules in relation to acquiring parental responsibility; change of name; and adoption and infertility treatment.

There is good coverage in relation to housing, both for rented accommodation

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