The English law on ethnic minorities has only been intermittently the focus of academic interest,and nowhere is this more true than in respect of family law. Yet a great number of the most topical and burning issues in family law centre upon, or involve, questions concerning ethnic minorities. Furthermore, in the light of the significance of recent legislation - for example the Children Act of 1989 and the Family Law Act of 1995 - much of what has already been written in the area has become rather dated or superseded altogether.

These essays consider systematically, and in a stimulating fashion, the main areas of English domestic law that impinge particularly acutely upon ethnic minority families. The collection spans private law, public law, social policy and social theory. The first part deals with the law relating to children. The second part concerns the duties owed too ethnic minority families and their members by local authorities, the courts and the police. The final section contains essays with an international dimension.

Written by recognised experts, these essays contain much by way of comparative and international material, and will be of interest to practising family lawyers as well as students and teachers of law.