Memo: The protection of children’s rights within the European Union under the ‘New Brussels II Regulation’

From 1 March 2005, judgments on parental responsibility were recognised throughout the European Union pursuant to a new Council Regulation. The aim was to create a common judicial area in the field of family law to improve the situation of children after the separation of their parents. One of the main objectives was to ensure that a child could maintain contact with both parents after a separation even when they lived in different Member States. It also sought to put an end to the problem of parental child abduction within the European Union.