Family Law – I by Dr. S. R. Myneni (2nd Edition, 2025) is a comprehensive, updated, and scholarly exposition of the foundational principles governing family law in India. The book offers a systematic, conceptual, and analytical understanding of laws relating to marriage, divorce, adoption, guardianship, maintenance, legitimacy, and succession, primarily under Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and Parsi personal laws, along with the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
Written in simple, clear, and student-friendly language, the book effectively bridges classroom learning and practical application, making it an essential resource for law students, teachers, judicial aspirants, and legal practitioners. The 2nd Edition (2025) has been thoroughly revised and expanded to reflect recent legislative amendments, Supreme Court rulings, and evolving socio-legal trends in family relations.
⚖️ Key Features of the 2nd Edition (2025)
📚 Comprehensive Coverage of All Major Family Laws:
Includes the full range of personal laws and statutory enactments governing marriage, divorce, maintenance, adoption, and guardianship, such as:Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956
Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956
Special Marriage Act, 1954
Indian Divorce Act, 1869
Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937
Guardians and Wards Act, 1890
⚖️ Updated with Latest Amendments and Case Law:
Incorporates landmark judgments from 2019–2025, including:Shayara Bano v. Union of India (2017) – Triple Talaq invalidation
Joseph Shine v. Union of India (2018) – Decriminalization of adultery
Deepika Singh v. CAT (2022) – Recognition of non-traditional families
Same-Sex Marriage Petitions (2023–2024) – Contemporary constitutional discourse
Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) – Right to privacy and its impact on family autonomy
🧾 Conceptual Clarity and Practical Approach:
Explains complex legal provisions through illustrative examples, case studies, and comparisons across different personal laws.💡 Comparative and Analytical Framework:
Highlights similarities and differences between Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and secular family laws, enabling students to grasp India’s pluralistic legal system.👨👩👧👦 Focused Discussion on Modern Family Law Issues:
Includes chapters on:Live-in relationships and their legal recognition
Same-sex relationships and marital rights debate
Rights of transgender persons under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019
Surrogacy, assisted reproduction, and custody of children born through ART
Domestic violence and maintenance rights under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005
⚖️ Socio-Legal and Constitutional Dimensions:
Analyses the role of Article 14 (Equality), Article 15 (Non-discrimination), and Article 21 (Right to Life and Dignity) in shaping modern family jurisprudence.📖 Pedagogically Structured for Students:
Chapter-wise introduction and conclusion
Key terms and definitions
Important questions and case references for exam preparation
Tables, flowcharts, and diagrams for conceptual clarity
📚 Chapter-Wise Overview
Unit I – Introduction to Family Law
Nature, scope, and sources of family law in India
Historical evolution of Hindu and Muslim personal laws
Constitutional framework and secularism in family regulation
Codification of family laws and reform movements
Unit II – Marriage and Matrimonial Relations
Nature and objectives of marriage
Conditions, ceremonies, and registration of marriage
Restitution of conjugal rights, judicial separation, nullity, and divorce
Grounds of divorce under different personal laws
Emerging issues: mutual consent divorce, irretrievable breakdown, and gender neutrality
Unit III – Adoption, Maintenance, and Guardianship
Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956
Maintenance rights of wife, children, and parents under Section 125 CrPC
Guardianship under the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956
Guardians and Wards Act, 1890 – legal guardianship and custody principles
Rights of adoptive parents and adopted children
Unit IV – Family Law under Muslim and Christian Laws
Muslim marriage: concept, nature, and dissolution
Talaq, Khula, Mubarat, Faskh, and judicial divorce
Maintenance under Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986
Christian and Parsi laws on marriage and divorce
Comparative analysis of marriage, divorce, and maintenance across faiths
Unit V – Contemporary Developments in Family Law
Live-in relationships, LGBTQ+ family rights, and surrogacy regulation
Domestic violence and protection of women
Child custody and welfare principles under modern jurisprudence
Uniform Civil Code (UCC): debates and judicial pronouncements
Digital family law – online marriages, digital wills, and data privacy in family disputes
🏛️ Highlights of the 2025 Edition
🔹 Incorporates all major statutory and judicial developments till 2025
🔹 New chapters on surrogacy, same-sex partnerships, and digital documentation
🔹 Updated case summaries and legal interpretations from apex and high courts
🔹 Comprehensive pedagogical tools – case briefs, tables, and summaries
🔹 Designed for academic, judicial, and practical utility
🎯 Recommended For
🎓 LL.B. & LL.M. Students – for in-depth study of Family Law–I
⚖️ Judicial Service Aspirants – as per BCI and State Judicial syllabus
👩⚖️ Lawyers & Judges – for ready reference in matrimonial and custody disputes
🏫 Law Professors & Researchers – for academic teaching and research purposes
👨👩👧 Social Workers & Policy Analysts – for understanding gender and family reform laws
👨🏫 About the Author
Dr. S. R. Myneni is one of India’s most respected legal authors, renowned for his clarity, simplicity, and pedagogical excellence. A distinguished academician and former professor of law, Dr. Myneni has authored over 40 titles across diverse fields such as Constitutional Law, Jurisprudence, Criminal Law, and Family Law, widely adopted by universities and law institutes across India.
His writing style combines academic rigor with practical clarity, making complex legal doctrines easily comprehensible for students while remaining authoritative for practitioners.
🏛️ Conclusion
Family Law – I (2nd Edition, 2025) by Dr. S. R. Myneni, published by Asia Law House, is a definitive and updated textbook that captures both the traditional essence and evolving dynamics of Indian family law.
Through lucid explanations, statutory analysis, and judicial insights, it equips readers with a solid understanding of marriage, divorce, adoption, guardianship, and maintenance under India’s plural legal system.
📗 In Summary:
“Family Law – I” (2nd Edition, 2025) by Dr. S. R. Myneni remains an authoritative, accessible, and academically rich guide — ideal for anyone seeking clarity on the laws that govern family relations, personal rights, and social justice in India’s legal framework.
