The Principles of European Family Law: Its Aims and Prospects

9 Pages Posted: 7 Jun 2007

See all articles by Katharina Boele-Woelki

Katharina Boele-Woelki

Utrecht University - Faculty of Law; Utrecht University - School of Law

Abstract

The Commission on European Family Law (CEFL) initiated a research project based on transnational collaboration that was generally believed to be impossible to realize in Europe. Never before in legal history, has such a large group of scholars investigated the possibilities for and contributed to the harmonization of substantive family law in Europe. The harmonization of family law will provide an adequate legal basis for the further realization of free movement for Europeans and will greatly contribute to the factual achievement of a Europe without legal borders. In focusing on this fundamental European right the CEFL covers the most important family law problems of today. The CEFL's Principles of European Family Law have led to a significant increase of European competitiveness in the field of family and comparative law. The international 'market' of legal models, which is traditionally dominated by the American Restatements has been complemented with a European 'product'. The Principles of European Family Law contribute to the coming into existence of a factual European family law.

Keywords: European family law, comparative law, harmonization, divorce, spousal maintenance, parental responsibilities, European research project

Suggested Citation

Boele-Woelki, Katharina, The Principles of European Family Law: Its Aims and Prospects. Utrecht Law Review, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp.160-168, December 2005, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=991556

Katharina Boele-Woelki (Contact Author)

Utrecht University - Faculty of Law ( email )

Janskerkhof 3
Utrecht, 3512 BK
Netherlands

Utrecht University - School of Law ( email )

3508 TC Utrecht
Utrecht
Netherlands

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