Adoption of new rules to better protect children caught in cross-border #ParentalDisputes

The Council adopted today new rules which improve and clarify EU judicial co-operation in cross-border matrimonial matters, such as divorce, child custody and access rights, or child abduction.

First Vice President Timmermans said: "I am very glad that following our proposal the Council adopted new rules to ensure that any disputes between parents who disagree after separation can be quickly solved. This is about putting children first.”

Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Commissioner Věra Jourová said: “When parents decide to separate, children can be caught in the middle, and it gets even more complicated when the parents come from different EU countries. In these difficult situations everybody should focus on what is best for the child. With the new rules, judicial cooperation will be faster and more efficient to make sure the children's well-being comes first.”

There are around 140,000 international divorces per year, and about 1,800 cases of parental child abduction in the EU. With the update of the Brussels IIa Regulation, a child who was abducted by one parent will be returned much faster to the country where he or she is used to living in. Children, old enough to form their own views, will have the opportunity to express them in all proceedings affecting them.

By abolishing the exequatur for all court decisions, which is an intermediate procedure required to obtain cross-border enforcement, these proceedings will become faster and less costly for the families. The new rules will enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal.

More information in a factsheet and a Q&A.

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