ELI-Webinar “Enhancing Child Protection” (Int’l Filiation Law)

Key Takeaways

• ELI report critiques EU Commission’s filiation proposal.
• Recommendations aim to align with EU acquis and integration.
• Adds women’s rights lens to child protection framework.
• Webinar features leading scholars and child ombudsperson.
• Outcomes could shape future EU legislation on family law.

Pulse Analysis

The European Commission’s 2022 proposal COM/2022/695 seeks to harmonise private international law on filiation, a cornerstone of family law that determines parental links across borders. While the draft aims to streamline jurisdictional rules and protect children’s rights, critics have warned that it leaves gaps in gender equality and fails to fully integrate existing EU acquis. The European Law Institute (ELI), a leading think‑tank of legal scholars and practitioners, responded with a comprehensive report that scrutinises the proposal’s strengths and shortcomings, positioning itself as a catalyst for policy refinement.

Authored by Dr. Ilaria Pretelli and Prof. Dr. Susanne Gössl, the ELI report preserves the Commission’s core vision but proposes targeted amendments. Key suggestions include tighter alignment with the Brussels I Regulation, clearer mechanisms for recognizing foreign parental orders, and an expanded definition of child protection that explicitly incorporates women’s rights and LGBTIQ+ considerations. By weaving a gender‑balanced perspective into the filiation framework, the report not only addresses legal parity but also reinforces the EU’s broader commitment to fundamental rights, potentially setting a precedent for future legislative drafts.

The March 12 webinar offers a rare forum for policymakers, academics, and child‑rights advocates to debate these proposals. With speakers such as ELI Treasurer Pietro Sirena, Finland’s Children Ombudsperson Elina Pekkarinen, and EU law experts from Bocconi and Bonn, the event promises substantive dialogue and actionable recommendations. Outcomes from the discussion could feed directly into the European Parliament’s upcoming review of the filiation proposal, shaping the trajectory of EU family law for years to come. Stakeholders are therefore encouraged to monitor the webinar’s conclusions and consider how the suggested reforms align with national legal systems.