Press Release: New Community rules on recognition of family law rulings to put an end to child abduction within the European Union

As of 1 March 2005, judgments on parental responsibility were recognised throughout the European Union pursuant to a new Council Regulation. The aim of the Regulation was to create a common judicial area in the field of family law to ensure that children could maintain regular contacts with both parents after a separation even if they live in different Member States. To effectively solve the problem of parental child abduction within the EU, which causes appalling suffering to the children concerned, the Regulation imposed a strict obligation to assure the return of the child.