Juxtaposing Legal Systems and the Principles of European Family Law on Parental Responsibilities

The Commission on European Family Law (CEFL) published its Principles of European Family Law Regarding Parental Responsibilities in 2007 as a contribution towards the establishment of a European family law. Only by empirical testing of the Principles in a number of legal systems can one demonstrate whether they are acceptable and/or are regarded as an improvement on existing national laws. This edited volume tests the Principles in a range of legal systems - some untested (Malta, Estonia, Romania, Scotland, and Turkey) and some already considered by the CEFL (Denmark and England) - and, in so doing, assesses these legal systems in view of the Principles, and the Principles in view of these legal systems. The final part of the book is a comparative assessment of the findings, considering the Principles as harmonious ideals, and it analyzes the shortfalls in these ideals.