Participation in the ERA Annual Conference on European Family Law 

In September 2025, I attended the Annual Conference on European Family Law organised by the Academy of European Law (ERA) in Budapest. This well-established conference serves as one of Europe’s foremost platforms for the exchange of knowledge and practice-oriented dialogue among legal professionals specialising in family law.

The 2025 edition focused on recent case law developments in family matters, with particular emphasis on the Brussels IIb Regulation and its practical application across Member States. The discussions reflected how European jurisprudence continues to shape and refine the interpretation of key family law instruments.

Central themes included:

Cross-border maintenance claims, including those involving non-EU jurisdictions, and the procedural complexities they entail.

Parental child abduction and domestic violence, both areas in which the interaction between national and EU legal frameworks demands careful navigation.

Surrogacy and recognition of gender identity within the EU, topics that illustrate the dynamic interplay between evolving societal realities and the legal order.

Throughout the conference, speakers and participants explored how European family law continues to evolve towards greater consistency and mutual recognition, while still respecting the diversity of national systems.

My participation in the Budapest conference was particularly valuable in ensuring that my practice remains at the forefront of European developments. As a practitioner engaged daily in cross-border family law matters, a deep understanding of EU case law and procedural mechanisms is essential to achieving just and efficient outcomes for clients.

Moreover, this event further strengthened my professional ties within the European family law community, fostering collaboration and direct exchange with colleagues, judges, and academics from across the continent.

Ultimately, ongoing engagement in such forums allows me to translate European-level legal insight into practical, effective strategies for my clients, especially where international elements make family matters complex and sensitive.