Home
NewsEU divorce rules 'may be set to change'
EU divorce rules 'may be set to change'
Posted by Mark Cunningham
Rules governing divorces in the European Union (EU) may be set to change, it has been noted.
The European Commission has proposed new regulations that would enable couples to choose which country's laws apply to their separation, the BBC reports.
It revealed that ten states, including Britain, are keen for the alterations to go ahead.
Those backing the plans hope they will prevent so-called "divorce shopping", whereby one spouse gains the advantage over their husband or wife by strategically selecting the procedures of one nation.
In instances where couples disagree over the jurisdiction, courts will be able to decide which law applies in their case.
Viviane Reding, the EU justice commissioner from Luxembourg, said: "Thousands of couples find themselves in difficult personal situations because national legal systems have so far failed to provide clear answers."
The plans are currently being debated by MEPs and governments and no final decisions have yet been made.
25/03/2010 15:29
News category: Family