Helen Reece is a Barrister and Reader in Law at Birkbeck College London.

This is a fascinating book. It is immensely well-researched, painstakingly argued and always perceptive...[It] can be recommended to anyone interested in contemporary political theory, to students of social policy, to those interested in the limits of law and, of course, to family lawyers. Michael Freeman The Modern Law Review, Vol 69, No 1 Jan 06 ...provides both a sustained journey through theory (liberal, feminist, lesbian, communitarian, post liberal) and a journey through the new divorce law. Susan B. Boyd International Journal of Law in Context 2006 Her [Reece] anaylsis of the different theoretical arguments is masterly... Rebecca Probert, University of Warwick International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family April 2005 This book is informative, thoughtful and well-researched. Shelley Day Sclater Times Higher Education Supplement February 2004 Reece provides a meticulous and scholarly examination of contemporary theoretical writing on the nature of liberal and 'post-liberal' society, including communitarianism and feminism, and makes a compelling case that the Family Law Act 1996 contains the features identified in this analysis. She writes with great clarity and insight, and presents a powerful argument which will be a major tool for a critical understanding of modern family policy. John Eekelaar Journal of Law and Society June 2004

• Introduction1. The Subject of Divorce2. Reflecting on Divorce3. Delaying Divorce4. Learning from Divorce5. Informing Divorce 6. Divorcing Responsibly