{"id":12422,"date":"2022-07-30T16:03:28","date_gmt":"2022-07-30T16:03:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=12422"},"modified":"2024-03-02T15:01:11","modified_gmt":"2024-03-02T15:01:11","slug":"eu-divorce-recognition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/","title":{"rendered":"EU Divorce Recognition"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Law_applicable_to_divorce_and_legal_separation\" title=\"Law applicable to divorce and legal separation\">Law applicable to divorce and legal separation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Participating_countries\" title=\"Participating countries\">Participating countries<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#When_does_the_regulation_apply\" title=\"When does the regulation apply?\">When does the regulation apply?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Choice_of_law\" title=\"Choice of law\">Choice of law<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Where_no_choice_of_law_is_made\" title=\"Where no choice of law is made\">Where no choice of law is made<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Background\" title=\"Background\">Background<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#ACTS\" title=\"ACTS\">ACTS<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Matrimonial_and_parental_judgments_jurisdiction_recognition_and_enforcement_Brussels_IIa\" title=\"Matrimonial and parental judgments: jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement (Brussels IIa)\">Matrimonial and parental judgments: jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement (Brussels IIa)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Scope\" title=\"Scope\">Scope<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Matrimonial_matters\" title=\"Matrimonial matters\">Matrimonial matters<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Parental_responsibility\" title=\"Parental responsibility\">Parental responsibility<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Child_abduction\" title=\"Child abduction\">Child abduction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Recognition\" title=\"Recognition\">Recognition<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Enforcement\" title=\"Enforcement\">Enforcement<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Cooperation_between_central_authorities_in_parental_responsibility_cases\" title=\"Cooperation between central authorities in parental responsibility cases\">Cooperation between central authorities in parental responsibility cases<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Existing_agreements\" title=\"Existing agreements\">Existing agreements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Exemptions_and_special_provisions\" title=\"Exemptions and special provisions\">Exemptions and special provisions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Acts\" title=\"Acts\">Acts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Enhanced_cooperation_on_matrimonial_and_registered_partnership_property_issues\" title=\"Enhanced cooperation on matrimonial and registered partnership property issues\">Enhanced cooperation on matrimonial and registered partnership property issues<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Scope-2\" title=\"Scope\">Scope<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Jurisdiction\" title=\"Jurisdiction\">Jurisdiction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Recognition_and_enforcement_of_decisions\" title=\"Recognition, and enforcement of decisions\">Recognition, and enforcement of decisions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Key_terms\" title=\"Key terms\">Key terms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/eu-divorce-recognition\/#Documents\" title=\"Documents\">Documents<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Law_applicable_to_divorce_and_legal_separation\"><\/span>Law applicable to divorce and legal separation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Regulation (EU) No 1259\/2010 \u2014 law applicable to divorce and legal separation<\/p>\n<p>It establishes a single set of rules to determine which national law should apply to proceedings for divorce or legal separation involving spouses who are of different nationality, live in a country different from their country of nationality or no longer live in the same EU country.<br \/>\nIt complements Regulation (EC) No 2201\/2003, which sets out rules to determine in which court an application for divorce or legal separation must be filed.It entered into force on 30 December 2010.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Participating_countries\"><\/span>Participating countries<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The regulation applies to 16 EU countries which participate in enhanced cooperation on this issue: Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Portugal, Romania, and Slovenia.<\/p>\n<p>Other EU countries can join at any time.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_does_the_regulation_apply\"><\/span>When does the regulation apply?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It applies where this is a conflict of national laws in cases of divorce and legal separation, i.e. where several national laws could apply to the same divorce or legal separation (for example, the national law of the country of the spouses&#8217; nationality, or the national law of the country of their main place of residence).<\/p>\n<p>It does not apply to questions of:<\/p>\n<p>the legal capacity of natural persons<br \/>\nthe existence, validity or recognition of a marriage<br \/>\nthe annulment of a marriage<br \/>\nthe name of the spouses<br \/>\nthe property consequences of the marriage<br \/>\nparental responsibility<br \/>\nmaintenance obligations<br \/>\ntrusts or successions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Choice_of_law\"><\/span>Choice of law<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Spouses may make a formal agreement choosing which national law will apply to their divorce or legal separation as long as it is either the law of:<\/p>\n<p>the country where the spouses have their main place of residence at the time the agreement is concluded; or<br \/>\nthe country where the spouses had their last main residence, in so far as one of them still resides there at the time the agreement is concluded; or<br \/>\nthe country of nationality of either spouse at the time the agreement is concluded; or<br \/>\nthe country in which the case is brought.<br \/>\nAn agreement between the spouses may be made and changed at any time up to when the case comes before the court.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Where_no_choice_of_law_is_made\"><\/span>Where no choice of law is made<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If the spouses do not choose the law that should apply to their divorce or legal separation, the case will be subject to the law of the country:<\/p>\n<p>1.where the spouses have their main residence at the time the case comes before the court; or, if not<\/p>\n<p>2.where the spouses had their last main residence, provided that the period of residence did not end more than 1 year before the case came before the court, in so far as one of the spouses still lives in that country at the time the case comes to court; or, if not<\/p>\n<p>3.of which both spouses are nationals at the time the case is brought before the court; or, if not<\/p>\n<p>4.in which the case is brought.<\/p>\n<p>If the national law applicable to the case does not include a divorce law or does not grant one of the spouses equal access to divorce or legal separation on grounds of their sex, the law of the country in which the case is brought will apply.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Background\"><\/span>Background<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Two other regulations set out rules to establish the applicable law where there is a conflict of national laws. Regulation (EC) No 593\/2008 applies to contractual obligations, whilst Regulation (EC) No 864\/2007 covers non-contractual obligations excluding family relationships and the liability of a state.<\/p>\n<p>Regulation No 1259\/2010, which contains rules on the applicable law to divorce and legal separation, was adopted through enhanced cooperation to complement Regulation (EC) No 2201\/2003, which contains rules on jurisdiction and recognition and enforcement in respect of divorce and legal separation (as well as on parental responsibility matters).<\/p>\n<p>For further information, see Divorce and legal separation.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"ACTS\"><\/span>ACTS<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Council Regulation (EU) No 1259\/2010 of 20 December 2010 implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation (OJ L 343, 29.12.2010, pp. 10-16)<\/p>\n<p>Council Regulation (EC) No 2201\/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, repealing Regulation (EC) No 1347\/2000 (OJ L 338, 23.12.2003, pp. 1-29). Successive amendments and corrections to Regulation (EC) No 2201\/2003 have been incorporated in the basic text. This consolidated version is for reference purposes only.<\/p>\n<p>Regulation (EC) No 864\/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 July 2007 on the law applicable to non-contractual obligations (Rome II) (OJ L 199, 31.7.2007, pp. 40-49)<\/p>\n<p>Regulation (EC) No 593\/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 on the law applicable to contractual obligations (Rome I) (OJ L 177, 4.7.2008, pp. 6-16). See consolidated version.<\/p>\n<p>Commission Decision 2012\/714\/EU of 21 November 2012 confirming the participation of Lithuania in enhanced cooperation in the area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation (OJ L 323, 22.11.2012, pp. 18-19)<\/p>\n<p>Commission Decision 2014\/39\/EU of 27 January 2014 confirming the participation of Greece in enhanced cooperation in the area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation (OJ L 23, 28.1.2014, pp. 41-42)<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Matrimonial_and_parental_judgments_jurisdiction_recognition_and_enforcement_Brussels_IIa\"><\/span>Matrimonial and parental judgments: jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement (Brussels IIa)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Regulation (EC) No 2201\/2003 &#8211; jurisdiction, recognition and enforcement of matrimonial and parental judgments<\/p>\n<p>A single legal instrument to help international couples resolve disputes, involving more than one country, over their divorce and the custody of their children.<\/p>\n<p>It sets out:<\/p>\n<p>\u2014rules determining which court is responsible for dealing with matrimonial matters and parental responsibility in disputes involving more than one country<br \/>\n\u2014rules making it easier to recognise and enforce judgments issued in one EU country in another<br \/>\n\u2014a procedure to settle cases in which a parent abducts a child from one EU country and takes them to another.<br \/>\nIt does not deal with substantive family law matters. These are the responsibility of individual EU countries.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scope\"><\/span>Scope<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Regulation applies to civil law cases involving more than one country that relate to:<\/p>\n<p>\u2014divorce<br \/>\n\u2014legal separation<br \/>\n\u2014the annulment of a marriage<br \/>\n\u2014any aspect of parental responsibility (such as custody and access rights).<br \/>\nOne of its main objectives is to uphold children\u2019s right to maintain contact with both parents, even if they are separated or live in different EU countries.<\/p>\n<p>The Regulation does not apply to cases concerning:<\/p>\n<p>\u2014grounds for divorce or the law applicable in divorce cases<br \/>\n\u2014divorce-related issues such as maintenance<br \/>\n\u2014establishing and challenging paternity<br \/>\n\u2014judgments on adoption and the associated preparatory measures<br \/>\n\u2014annulling or revoking an adoption<br \/>\n\u2014a child\u2019s first and last names<br \/>\n\u2014the independence of children from their parents or guardians<br \/>\n\u2014trusts and inheritance<br \/>\n\u2014measures taken in response to criminal acts committed by children.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Matrimonial_matters\"><\/span>Matrimonial matters<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There is no general rule on jurisdiction in matrimonial matters. To determine the EU country where the courts have the right to rule on a case, the Regulation instead sets out 7 alternative grounds for jurisdiction based on the spouses\u2019 nationality or on where they normally live.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Parental_responsibility\"><\/span>Parental responsibility<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It applies to:<\/p>\n<p>\u2014rights of custody and rights of access<br \/>\n\u2014guardianship, curatorship and similar legal arrangements<br \/>\n\u2014the designation and functions of any person or body in charge of the child or the child&#8217;s property, or which represents or assists the child<br \/>\n\u2014placing the child in a foster family or in institutional care<br \/>\n\u2014measures to protect the child, covering the administration, conservation or use of his or her property.<\/p>\n<p>Such matters generally come under the jurisdiction of the courts in the EUcountry where the child usually lives . If it is impossible to establish where a child usually lives (as in the case of refugees), the EU country where the child is present automatically assumes jurisdiction.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Child_abduction\"><\/span>Child abduction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Regulation also lays down rules to settle cases in which children are unlawfully removed or kept.The courts of the EU country where the child normally lived immediately before abduction continue to have jurisdiction until the child lives mainly in another EU country.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recognition\"><\/span>Recognition<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Under the Regulation, any EU country must automatically recognise judgments given in another EU country on matrimonial and parental responsibility matters. Recognition can be refused if, for example:<\/p>\n<p>\u2014recognition is clearly contrary to public policy<br \/>\n\u2014the defendant did not receive the document initiating proceedings in time to arrange legal defence (in cases where the judgment was given in the defendant&#8217;s absence)<br \/>\n\u2014recognition is incompatible with another judgment given between the same parties.<\/p>\n<p>For judgments concerning parental responsibility, recognition can also be refused if:<\/p>\n<p>\u2014the child was not given an opportunity to be heard<br \/>\n\u2014on the request of a person claiming that the judgment infringes his or her parental responsibility, the judgment was issued without this person having been given an opportunity to be heard.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Enforcement\"><\/span>Enforcement<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A judgment on the exercise of parental responsibility enforceable in the EU country where it was issued can be enforced in another EU country when it has been declared enforceable there at the request of any interested party. However, no declaration is required for judgments granting rights of access or concerning the return of a child that have been certified by the original judge in accordance with the Regulation.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cooperation_between_central_authorities_in_parental_responsibility_cases\"><\/span>Cooperation between central authorities in parental responsibility cases<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Each EU country designates a central authority (or more than one) whose duties include:<\/p>\n<p>\u2014helping parents seeking the return of a child abducted by another parent and taken to another EU country<br \/>\n\u2014promoting information-sharing on national law and procedures;<br \/>\n\u2014helping courts communicate with each other<br \/>\n\u2014helping parents or guardians seeking to recognise and enforce decisions<br \/>\n\u2014seeking to resolve disagreements between parents or guardians through alternative means such as mediation.<\/p>\n<p>Central authorities meet regularly as members of the European Judicial Network in civil and commercial matters.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Existing_agreements\"><\/span>Existing agreements<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As a general rule, this regulation replaces existing conventions on the same matters involving 2 or more EU countries. In relations between EU countries, it takes precedence over certain multilateral conventions:<\/p>\n<p>\u20141961 Hague Convention (law applicable to protection of minors)<br \/>\n\u20141967 Luxembourg Convention (recognition of decisions on marriage);<br \/>\n\u20141970 Hague Convention (recognition of divorces)<br \/>\n\u20141980 European Convention (custody of children)<br \/>\n\u20141980 Hague Convention (civil aspects of international child abduction).<\/p>\n<p>With regard to the Hague Convention of 19 October 1996 on parental responsibility and measures for the protection of children, the regulation is fully applicable if the child normally lives in an EU country.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Exemptions_and_special_provisions\"><\/span>Exemptions and special provisions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Denmark is not a party to the Regulation and is therefore not bound by it.<\/p>\n<p>Special provisions are applicable to:<\/p>\n<p>\u2014the relations of Finland and Sweden with Denmark, Iceland and Norway as regards the application of the Nordic Marriage Convention of 6 February 1931<br \/>\n\u2014relations between the Holy See and Portugal, Italy, Spain and Malta.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Acts\"><\/span>Acts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Council Regulation (EC) No 2201\/2003 of 27 November 2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility, repealing Regulation (EC) No 1347\/2000<\/p>\n<p>Regulation (EC) No 2201\/2003<\/p>\n<p>Regulation (EC) No 2116\/2004<\/p>\n<p>Council Decision 2010\/405\/EU of 12 July 2010 authorising enhanced cooperation in the area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation (Official Journal L 189, 22.7.2010, pp. 12-13)<\/p>\n<p>Council Regulation (EU) No 1259\/2010 of 20 December 2010 implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation (Official Journal L 343, 29.12.2010, pp. 10-16)<\/p>\n<p>Commission Decision 2012\/714\/EU of 21 November 2012 confirming the participation of Lithuania in enhanced cooperation in the area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation (OJ L 323, 22.11.2012, pp. 18-19)<\/p>\n<p>Commission Decision 2014\/39\/EU of 27 January 2014 confirming the participation of Greece in enhanced cooperation in the area of the law applicable to divorce and legal separation (OJ L 23, 28.1.2014, pp. 41-42)<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Enhanced_cooperation_on_matrimonial_and_registered_partnership_property_issues\"><\/span>Enhanced cooperation on matrimonial and registered partnership property issues<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Regulation (EU) 2016\/1103 implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of matrimonial property regimes<\/p>\n<p>Regulation (EU) 2016\/1104 implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of the property consequences of registered partnerships<\/p>\n<p>The two regulations determine the rules applicable to the property of married couples or registered partners where the couples have different EU nationalities or where couples own properties in another EU country.<\/p>\n<p>They outline revised rules, agreed by 18 EU countries, on the jurisdiction, the laws that should be applied, and the recognition and enforcement of decisions about matrimonial property regimes* or property consequences* of a registered partnership* arising when marriages or registered partnerships break up, or when one partner dies.<\/p>\n<p>The 18 EU countries participating in the enhanced cooperation are Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Finland and Sweden, as authorised by Council Decision (EU) 2016\/954. Other countries are free to join at any time after the regulation is adopted. In this respect, Estonia announced its interest, and that it would consider taking part in the cooperation after its adoption.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Scope-2\"><\/span>Scope<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Issues about the legal capacity of spouses, the recognition or validity of the marriage, maintenance obligations and inheritance are not covered. The regulations do not change national laws on marriage or registered partnerships, and stipulate that the applicable law applies to all assets regardless of where the assets are located, and will be applied whether or not it is the law of an EU country.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Jurisdiction\"><\/span>Jurisdiction<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The regulations aim to allow citizens to have their cases handled by the courts of the same EU country. Spouses and partners can agree which country\u2019s laws will apply to their matrimonial or registered partnership property, either in:<\/p>\n<p>the country where one or both are \u2018habitually resident\u2019;<br \/>\nthe country of nationality of either spouse or partner;<br \/>\nthe country under whose law the registered partnership was created.<br \/>\nWhere the couple do not make such a choice, jurisdiction will be decided in the case of matrimonial property based on (taken in order):<\/p>\n<p>the country where the couple both lived after the marriage ended; or<br \/>\nthe couple\u2019s common nationality when the marriage ended; or<br \/>\nthe country with which the couple have the closest connection at the time the marriage ended.<\/p>\n<p>If the marriage is not recognised in national law for the purposes of matrimonial property the court can refuse jurisdiction, and similarly for registered partnership. The regulation does not prevent the parties from settling amicably out of court, for instance before a notary, in an EU country of their choice.<\/p>\n<p>The registered partnership regulation sets out the issues pertaining to the property consequences of registered partnerships, particularly the liquidation of assets and the effects of the property consequences of the registered partnership on a legal relationship between a partner and third parties.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recognition_and_enforcement_of_decisions\"><\/span>Recognition, and enforcement of decisions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The regulations contain rules about the recognition, enforceability and enforcement of decisions similar to those of other EU rules concerning judicial cooperation in civil matters. Grounds for non-recognition of a decision include circumstances where such recognition is obviously contrary to public policy in the EU country in which recognition is sought.<\/p>\n<p>Except for some preparatory administrative matters, the regulations apply from 29 January 2019.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_terms\"><\/span>Key terms<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Matrimonial property regime: rules concerning the property relationships between spouses and in their relations with third parties, as a result of marriage or its break-up.<br \/>\nRegistered partnership: the regime governing the shared life of two people which is provided for in law, the registration of which is mandatory under that law and which fulfils the legal formalities required by that law for its creation.<br \/>\nProperty consequences of a registered partnership: rules concerning the property relationships of the partners, between themselves and in their relations with third parties, as a result of the legal relationship created by the registration of the partnership or its break-up.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Documents\"><\/span>Documents<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Council Regulation (EU) 2016\/1103 of 24 June 2016 implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of matrimonial property regimes (OJ L 183, 8.7.2016, pp. 1-29)<\/p>\n<p>Successive amendments to Regulation (EU) 2016\/1103 have been incorporated in the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.<\/p>\n<p>Council Regulation (EU) 2016\/1104 of 24 June 2016 implementing enhanced cooperation in the area of jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of the property consequences of registered partnerships (OJ L 183, 8.7.2016, pp. 30-56)<\/p>\n<p>Council Decision (EU) 2016\/954 of 9 June 2016 authorising enhanced cooperation in the area of jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions on the property regimes of international couples, covering both matters of matrimonial property regimes and the property consequences of registered partnerships (OJ L 159, 16.6.2016, pp. 16-18)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-12422\" data-postid=\"12422\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-12422 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Law applicable to divorce and legal separation Regulation (EU) No 1259\/2010 \u2014 law applicable to divorce and legal separation It establishes a single set of rules to determine which national law should apply to proceedings for divorce or legal separation involving spouses who are of different nationality, live in a country different from their country [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[150,155],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12422"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12422"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12422\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12458,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12422\/revisions\/12458"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12422"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12422"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12422"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}