Choice of law determines which national legal system applies to an international case. Currently many choice of law rules in the field of family law are regulated by national law. However, these national rules of the EU Member States are more and more displaced by common European rules. This book describes the changes brought by the Europeanisation of the choice of law on divorce. From the conclusions drawn in the field of divorce the concluding chapter discusses the changes of Europeanisation of international family law in a broader perspective.

Is the unification and harmonisation of (international) family law in Europe necessary? Is it feasible, desirable and possible? Reading the different contributions to this book may certainly inspire those who would like to find the right answers to these questions.

The Research Handbook on International Family Law brings together a carefully selected array of experts to address legal topics pertaining to family relationships in a cross-border context, and international family law disputes. It shows how this independent field of study has developed, and continues to develop, and adeptly surveys the practice and regulation of international family law.

This volume contains twenty-three contributions delivered at the CEFL's second international conference which took place in Utrecht in December 2004. The interventions written by both experienced family experts as well as young researchers cover those fields of family law that are closely related to the activities of the CEFL: (1) divorce and maintenance between former spouses, (2) parental responsibilities, (3) informal long-term relationships and (4) the revised Brussels II Regulation. Furthermore, the opening two contributions deal not only with essential aspects of the harmonisation process of family law in Europe but also with the CEFL's working method.

Offering a comprehensive and critical review of many important dimensions in English family law, this text offers a new approach to aspects of private international law, such as the recognition of foreign marriages and divorce and the conflicts rules governing financial relief on divorce, matrimonial property and succession.

The Brussels II bis Regulation which contains uniform rules for jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and in matters of parental responsibility became effective as of 1st March 2005 for 24 Member States of the European Union. This book addresses the impact and application of the new rules in the form of national reports. The authors provide answers to questions such as: What is the impact of the Regulation on national private international law on the one side, and on substantive law, on the other? Does the Regulation mean that changes have to be made in the national systems? Are there any difficulties as regards the consistency of the private international law system? In how far does the Regulation match the substantive law both as regards divorce and parental responsibility? Are there any difficulties as regards the implementation of the Regulation in the national systems? Have any implementing measures been taken? A comparative synthesis of the impact and application of the Brussels II bis Regulation within the European Union and a general introduction into the Europeanisation of private international law in family matters complement the book. As a result it contains the latest update of international family law in Europe.

The Impact of Institutions and Organisations on European Family Law looks at the impact that institutions and organisations have had, and continue to have, on European family law. In many ways the chapters in this volume provide the easiest explanation for the existence of a European family law. While there is no European body that could actually legislate definitively on family law – even the European Union has no such mandate – there are still some obvious institutions that have a very direct impact on European family law. These can be divided into two groups; namely those that have a direct impact, such as the European Court of Human Rights and the European Union, and those that have an indirect impact, such as the Commission on European Family Law (CEFL), the Council of Europe and the International Commission on Civil Status (ICCL/CIEC) as well as the private international law instruments of the Hague Conference (HCCH) and the EU. Together, with religion, all of these institutions are contributing to the creation of a European family law. This book, and the others in the set, will serve as an invaluable resource for anyone interested in family law. It will be of particular use to students and scholars of comparative and international family law, as well as family law practitioners.

Teaching International Law is a topic of great importance in international law academia. In the past renowned international lawyers and research institutions have dealt with this matter. This book brings together a larger number of established international lawyers who not only present the state of the art of this discipline but also their own vision and perspective. Traditionally, teachers of international law had considerable influence on the development and the understanding of this subject. The international legal system has profoundly changed but in time of enormous challenges for the survivel of mankind the voice of the teachers should again be heard.

The 1st January 2003 saw the introduction of a new inheritance law in the Netherlands. The publisher and the translators hope that this book will find its way into the hands of the large number of non-Dutch speaking persons in and also outside the Netherlands whose life is affected by the law, which until now was not readily accessible. This work, thanks to the translation of the rules of private international law in the field of inheritance law, also provides lawyers, civil servants and consular officers with insight into the applicable rules in international cases. The Europeanisation of civil law necessitates that the ultramodern Dutch inheritance law is readily accessible. This work will give scholars and professional practitioners not able to speak Dutch an opportunity to take cognizance of this important field of law. It is hoped that it will further contribute to the development of an international legal discourse on the development of inheritance law in other jurisdictions, whilst allowing the comparison with the law as in force in the Netherlands on the 1st January 2005.

Bringing together academics and private international lawyers from a wide range of jurisdictions and institutions, this volume explores how private international law can best contribute to the development of the global legal architecture needed to integrate our emerging multicultural world society.