Annual Conference on European Family Law – Budapest, September 2025
This two-day event brought together judges, lawyers, prosecutors, academics, and officials from 24 EU member states. It served as a unique platform for the exchange of knowledge and expertise on the most pressing issues in European family law.
Day One – Key Themes
The opening session, chaired by Angelika Fuchs, set the stage for in-depth discussions on Brussels IIb Regulation and its current application.
Matthias Neumayr presented on habitual residence under Brussels IIb and Rome III Regulations in light of recent CJEU judgments.
Nadia Rusinova provided a detailed case law update, focusing on the Anikovi decision.
Orsolya Szeibert analyzed recent decisions on international child abduction, followed by Michael Hellner, who spoke about the connection between child abduction, domestic violence, and the protection of mothers and children.
The afternoon program shifted to cross-border maintenance law:
Stefan Schlauß offered practical guidance on applying the EU Maintenance Regulation, digitalization, and cooperation with central authorities.
Ágnes Napsugár Orbánné Szél addressed the challenges of enforcing maintenance obligations in times of war.
Lisette Dupré presented on enforcement procedures under EU Regulations, REMO/MEBC, and the specific difficulties arising in the post-Brexit landscape.
The session concluded with Marlene Brosch examining the latest CJEU case law on maintenance obligations.
The first day closed with a guided tour of the Buda Castle district and a networking dinner at “Mezzo Music,” providing participants with an excellent opportunity to exchange experiences in a more informal setting.
Day Two – Case Law of the CJEU and ECtHR
The second day focused on family law jurisprudence at both European and international levels:
Ivana Jelić analyzed ECtHR case law on abortion and surrogacy.
Tine Van Hof explored cross-border parenthood, including legal challenges in adoption, assisted reproduction, and surrogacy.
Lena Holzer examined gender identity recognition within the EU.
Lenka Křičková concluded with insights from Case C-713/23 on the recognition of same-sex unions.
Why this conference matters
The conference allowed practitioners to remain up to date with recent CJEU and ECtHR judgments, understand the practical application of EU family law instruments, and discuss the evolving landscape of cross-border disputes involving parental authority, child abduction, maintenance, surrogacy, and same-sex family recognition.
For our firm, participation in this event was an invaluable opportunity to:
- Gain first-hand insight into the most recent legal developments.
- Network with leading judges, academics, and practitioners from across Europe.
- Strengthen our expertise in handling international family law disputes, especially those involving complex cross-border issues.
Continuing Professional Development
Participation in the full program corresponded to 9 CPD hours, officially recognized for professional development purposes. Certificates of participation were issued to attendees, ensuring that the knowledge gained contributes not only to immediate practice but also to long-term professional growth.
Conclusion
This enriching experience reaffirmed our firm’s commitment to delivering top-level legal services in international family law. The insights gained in Budapest will directly benefit our clients in cases that span multiple jurisdictions.
