This textbook tries to present family law in its context. I hope readers will gain not only an understanding of what the law actually is, but also an awareness of the complex tensions in social, philosophical and political forces which surround ‘family life’. This means the book contains much law, but also a little sociology, political theory and philosophy. Of course a little of anything might be said to be a bad thing and the book can only give a fl avour of the wide-ranging issues surrounding family life and its regulation. Still, it is hoped the reader can see that family law is not simply a set of rules cast down from upon high, but rules that have to operate in the messy world of personal relations where many people do not know what the law says, and even if they do, do not care very much about it. I am extremely grateful for the support of the team at Pearson Education and particularly Cheryl Cheasley. Barbara Massam, who has in various ways been involved in all fi ve editions of this book, has done an excellent job. I am also grateful for the support and help of colleagues and friends while writing this book, and in particular Shazia Choudhry, John Eekelaar, Michelle Madden Dempsey, Lucinda Ferguson, Sandra Fredman, Rob George, Stephen Gilmore, Rebecca Probert, Helen Reece, George P. Smith, Rachel Taylor and Julie Wallbank. In all sorts of ways they have helped with the book. Of course my wife Kirsten, and children Laurel, Joanna and Darcy, have been a constant source of fun, laughs and encouragement. In the preface to the third edition I wrote: ‘Each new edition of this book appears linked to the birth of a new child for us. That must stop!’ It has indeed stopped, so no new family members to greet the next editions. The book seeks to present the law as at 1 August 2010.