Family cases involving the EU after Brexit

The reader may have noticed in the news that the UK’s transition out of the European Union (‘EU’) was completed on the 31st of December (if not, where have you been?). What you may not realise, however, is that this has significant implications for any family law cases involving the EU.

Just to recap, the UK actually left the EU on the 31st of January 2020. However, there was then a transition period, during which the UK continued to abide by certain EU rules. The transition period ended on the 31st of December.

So what are the implications for family cases involving the EU? (Note that what follows relates only to cases involving the courts of England and Wales.)

There are two main sets of rules that apply to family cases in the EU. One, known as ‘Brussels II’, deals with jurisdiction and the cross-border recognition of judgments. The other, the Maintenance Regulation, sets out rules regarding maintenance cases.

Both sets of rules continued to apply to cases in England and Wales until the 31st of December, but have both now been revoked. This means that they do not apply to any cases starting after the 31st of December.

What does this actually mean? Well, there will be changes in the way it is decided what country’s courts should deal with divorce and children cases, and how court orders relating to such cases made in an EU country are recognised (or not) by the courts of this country. There will also be similar changes relating to maintenance cases, including the enforcement of maintenance orders made in another country.

The details of these changes are quite technical, and are beyond the scope of this post. The thing to take from all of this, though, is that if you are or may be concerned with a family case involving the EU then you really need to instruct an expert family lawyer, who can guide you through the changes. We can find you an expert that works with you on our digital platform. For more information, call us on 020 3904 0506, or click here, and fill in the form.

Finally, it should be mentioned that the rules relating to international child abduction, and the return of abducted children, have not changed, as those rules are incorporated into our law. If your child has been abducted, or if you believe that they are at risk of being abducted, then you should instruct an expert family lawyer immediately – again, Family Law Cafe can help you find an expert.

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