The Changing Concept of 'Family' and Challenges for Domestic Family Law explores the changing concept of 'family', with the current social, political, medical and scientific challenges for domestic family law discussed in over 20 European jurisdictions. National reports describe the current law and legal development for 'horizontal' (the law of relationships between adults such as marriage, divorce, cohabitation, same-sex relationships), 'vertical' (the law governing the relationships between adults and children, such as parentage including artificial reproductive techniques and surrogacy, parental responsibility and adoption) and individual (the law of names and recognition of gender identity) family law. They show that, while considerable legal and societal diversity still exists within Europe, family law, in many areas, is developing along similar lines, with a convergence towards 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. Contributors: G. Douglas, L. Francoz Terminal, T. Keller, O. Khazova, G. Kubi kova, A. Lamarca Marques, D. Martiny, K. McK Norrie, B. Novak, E. OErucu, J.M. Scherpe, I. Schwenzer, B. Sloan, T. Sverdrup, F. Swennen, O. Szeibert, M. Giovanna E. Zervogianni

As Britain's leading comparative Family Law scholar, Jens Scherpe demonstrates his considerable knowledge and expertise in this, the final book, in the series on European Family Law. Drawing on the three earlier works in the series (of which he is the editor) Scherpe starts by convincingly arguing that there is such a thing as European Family Law and then examines the concept from different perspectives, namely, institutional and organic, and horizontal, vertical and individual European Family Law. He ends by speculating about future developments. Written in an easy-to-read yet not unchallenging style The Present and Future of European Family Law is a 'must read' for all those interested in Family Law particularly as the subject can no longer be sensibly studied purely from a domestic angle.' - N.V. Lowe, Cardiff University, UKThe Present and Future of European Family Law explores the essence of European family law - and what its future may be. It compares and analyzes existing laws and court decisions, identifies trends in legislation and jurisprudence, and also forecasts (and in some cases proposes) future developments. It establishes that while there is, at present, no comprehensive European family law, elements of an 'institutional European family law' have been created through decisions by the European Court on Human Rights and by the Court of Justice of the European Union as well as other EU instruments. At the same time an 'organic European family law' is beginning to emerge. The laws in many European jurisdictions have developed similarly and have 'grown together', not only as a result of the aforementioned institutional pressures, but also as a result of societal developments, and comparable reactions to medical and societal advances and changes. Hence there already is a body of institutional and organic European family law, and it will continue to grow. 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.

Family Law in a European Perspective examines core aspects of family law from a comparative European perspective: marriage, divorce, cohabitation, same-sex relationships, the financial consequence of divorce, adoption, parentage and surrogacy, parental responsibility, the child's welfare, and law concerning older people. These topics have been the most debated in family law over the past century. They cover areas where national family laws have reacted, or will need to react, to the challenges of societal changes, medical advances and institutional pressures including decisions of the European Courts. The contributions show diversity in, as well as developments towards, a common 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. Contributors: M. Antokolskaia, P. Beaumont, I. Curry-Sumner, C. Fenton-Glynn, J. Ferrer-Riba, R. George, J. Herring, J. Miles, J.M. Scherpe, C. Soergjerd, K. Trimmings

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. Contributors: H. Baker, K. Boele-Woelki, D. Coester-Waltjen, G. De Baere, M. Groff, K. Gutman, N. Lowe, J. Mair, D. Martiny, W. Pintens, J.M. Scherpe

Surrogacy, and especially cross-border surrogacy, has become a global phenomenon and multi-billion-dollar industry. This development raises serious legal and ethical questions about exploitation and commodification of women and children, the legal status and protection of children born through surrogacy, and parental rights of intended parents. The legal reactions to surrogacy have varied greatly, ranging from prohibition or tolerance of the practice of surrogacy to a free market approach. Very few jurisdictions have introduced specific regulation for surrogacy, as they have struggled to create legal frameworks that ensure the protection of surrogates, children and intending parents alike.This book is the first comprehensive engagement with surrogacy and surrounding issues in Latin America in the English language. It examines the approaches taken in Latin American jurisdictions, bringing together experts from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay. It provides an overview of the national developments and current legal reform processes in their historical and societal contexts and puts the developments into a global perspective.

This definitive work, published in four-volumes, maps the emerging European family law.The chapters draw on a wide range of topics, such as: marriage, divorce, cohabitation, same-sex relationships, the financial consequence of divorce, adoption, parentage and surrogacy, parental responsibility, the child's welfare, and law concerning older people. Through its stimulating comparative analysis and comprehensive coverage of the topic, this set of books is intended to serve as a major resource for all scholars, practitioners and students interested in family law. The first volume examines the impact of institutions and organisations on European family law. While there is no European body that could actually legislate definitively on family law, there are some institutions that have a direct impact on European family law, while the impact of others is more indirect. In the second volume the changing concept of 'family' and challenges for domestic family law are analysed in 21 different jurisdictions, in 16 chapters. All contributions look at 'horizontal' family law (the law concerning the relationships between adults), 'vertical' family law (the law concerning the relationships of adults and children) as well an 'individual' family law (the law on names and gender identity). In the third volume the contributions take a comparative view on specific issues from a European perspective. The fourth volume, which is also a stand-alone monograph, draws on all of the previous chapters, and discusses the present and future of European family law. It establishes areas where 'institutional' European family law exists - in the sense that there are binding legal rules for all European jurisdictions - for example, as a result of a decision by the European Court of Human Rights. It also identifies areas where, as a result of common legal and social developments for 'horizontal', 'vertical' and 'individual' family law, an 'organic' European family law is emerging and suggests how family laws in Europe are going to develop in the future. The four volumes are also available to purchase individually: European Family Law Volume I: The Impact of Institutions and Organisations on European Family Law European Family Law Volume II: The Changing Concept of 'Family' and Challenges for Domestic Family Law European Family Law Volume III: Family Law in a European Perspective The Present and Future of European Family Law

This book deals with a subject that has recently been the focus of debate and law reform in many jurisdictions: how much scope should spouses have to conclude agreements concerning their financial affairs - and under what circumstances should such agreements be binding and enforceable? These marital agreements include pre-nuptial, post-nuptial and separation agreements. The book is the result of a British Academy-funded research project which investigated and compared the relevant law of England and Wales, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and the jurisdictions of the United States. In addition to chapters on these jurisdictions, the book includes a chapter on the 'English practitioner's view'. It also provides a comparative analysis of the different matrimonial property regimes and the rules on marital agreements that explores underlying themes and principlesand makes recommendations for regulating marital agreements. A key theme is the function and effect of marital agreements in the different jurisdictions. Thus, each chapter first explains the underlying 'default' rules for ancillary relief/matrimonial property and maintenance. It then analyses the current rules for marital agreements, and gives a brief account of the private international law rules. The book provides a comprehensive source of reference on ancillary relief/matrimonial property and maintenance and the rules on pre-nuptial, post-nuptial and separation agreements in 14 jurisdictions. It offers guidance for academics and practitioners dealing with international matters, and a basis for discussions on law reform. 'I applaud the vision and perseverance of Jens Scherpe in having conceived this book and, with so much distinguished help, in now bringing it to birth. I will be using it for many years and I warmly invite my fellow family lawyers across the world to do likewise.' Foreword by The Rt Hon Lord Wilson of Culworth, Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom

Over the past 10 years, a convergence of scientific, demographic, legal and social developments has led to a significant influx of cases of international surrogacy. What was previously a marginal form of parenthood has become a multi-billion dollar industry, raising concerns for surrogate mothers, commissioning parents, and children alike. Lawyers, philosophers and health care professionals have struggled to formulate a framework to ensure the protection of surrogate mothers from exploitation, whilst combatting the vulnerability of commissioning parents to agencies and intermediaries, and providing children born as a result of this practice with certainty regarding their identity, status, and nationality.The transnational nature of the issues raised in relation to international surrogacy agreements means that individual states have struggled to take decisive action, and there remains a myriad of different responses to this issue. This book brings together experts from Eastern and Western backgrounds, to consider the way in which different jurisdictions have responded to surrogacy, both within their own borders, and when an international agreement takes place involving one of their citizens. Each chapter includes a discussion of the laws concerning the establishment and contestation of legal parentage through surrogacy under domestic law; the rules and laws concerning surrogacy arrangements on a domestic level; and approaches to recognition of legal parenthood acquired through surrogacy in other jurisdictions. In addition, the chapters consider the socio-economic context of surrogacy in the chosen jurisdictions, through questions concerning the profile of surrogate mothers and commissioning parents, the involvement of intermediaries, and the nature of the interactions between these parties. In this way, the book provides a comprehensive understanding of the confluences and tensions in the way surrogacy is approached in these jurisdictions, and seeks to identify trends emerging from these different regions.In doing so, Eastern and Western Perspectives on Surrogacy seeks to contribute to the greater understanding of the regulation of surrogacy throughout the world, and will serve as a reference work for anyone involved in practice, academia or law reform in this subject area.