On Friday 16 April 2010 the 4th UCERF Symposium on recent developments in family law will be organized by the Utrecht Centre for European Research into Family Law (UCERF). During the first half of the symposium Professor Katharina Boele-Woelki, (member of UCERF) will give a presentation on polygamous marriages. Subsequently, dr. Marta Pertegás of the Hague Conference for PIL will speak about international child protection. The last speaker before the break, Bart Breederveld, who is both lawyer and university lecturer, will bring us up to date on recent developments in Dutch marital property law.During the second part of the programme Hanneke Ackermans-Wijn, judge at the Arnhem District Court, will present recent experiences with parenting plans from a practical perspective, and last but not least, dr. Lies Punselie, who is working for the Ministry of Justice, will discuss the position of minors in court procedures.

At 17.30 the official part of the symposium will be concluded by Professor Boele-Woelki.  During the symposium there will be ample time for discussion and questions. Moreover, after the symposium, there will be time to have a drink and to discuss the afternoon’s experiences with the speakers and the other participants.

Date :               Friday 16 April 2010

Time :               13.00-17.30

Place :             Drift 13 (University of Utrecht)

Costs :              60 euro (30 euro for student and Phd researchers) including the collection of articles and the drinks

Information :     t.ditvoorst@uu.nl The program can be downloaded here, for the registration form click here.

The maximum of participants has been reached, so registration for this symposium is not possible anymore.

Third UCERF Symposium

On Friday 24th April 2008, UCERF will host its third symposium at Janskerhof 3 in Utrecht. Well-known speakers (academics and practitioners) will present papers on topical family law issues. Lawyers, researchers, academics and students are all warmly invited to attend the symposium. Professor Katharina Boele-Woelki (UCERF) will open the symposium at 1.30pm. During the first part of the programme, Ms. Ernee Loeb (UCERF), an Utrecht based lawyer, will present on divorce mediation and parenting plans. Subsequently, ms. Els van Blokland, an Amsterdam based lawyer, will introduce us to the problems of relocating mothers and contact fathers. Before the break dr. Ian Curry-Sumner (UCERF) will discuss the problems surrounding the recovery of international child maintenance. During the second part of the programme, Professor Wim Meeus will speak on the best interests of children from a social science point of view. Our last speaker of the afternoon, dr. Wendy Schrama, will present on the need to rethink family law. At 5.30 pm Professor Boele-Woelki will close the afternoon. There will be plenty of time for discussion and questions during the afternoon.

For futher details please contact dr. Machteld Vonk or phone +31 (0)30 2537267.Futher details of the programme can be downloaded here.

The maximum of participants has been reached, so registration for this symposium is not possible anymore.

Second UCERF Symposium

On Friday 18th April 2008, the second UCERF symposium has taken take place. Professor Katharina Boele-Woelki (UCERF) opened the symposium at 1.30pm. During the first part of the programme, Mrs. Carla Smeets presented on the developments with respetc to Dutch matrimonial property law. afterwards, Dr. Machteld Vonk critically assessed the pros and cons of the proposals put forward by the Kalsbeek Commission with respect to lesbian parentage. During the second part of the programme, Professor Leon Buskens (UCERF) provided a lively presentation on Islamic family law, after which Professor Hans van Delden (Utrecht Medical Centre) talked about the care of the eldery. The afternoon was concluded with the presentation by Mrs. Robine de Lange-Tegelaar, vice-president of the district court in The Hague concerning international child abduction cases

The symposium took place on the Friday 18th April 2008 in Utrecht. For further details please contact Dr. Ian Curry-Sumner or phone +31 (0) 30 253 7184. Further details of the programme can be downloaded here.

Changing patterns of interdependence and solidarity in family relations

In 2003 Utrecht University began a multidisciplinary research programme entitled "Changing Patterns of Interdependence and Solidarity in Family Relations". The initiative for the programme came from a group of professors in a variety of fields including international family law, paedology, gender studies, economiccs, sociology and medical ethics. UCERF Researchers have participated in this programme since its inception. The projects in the programme are co-financed by the governing body of Utrecht University, the participating faculties and subsidiary funding. For more information click here.

Maintenance in Europe

The current law on maintenance and the enforcement of maintenance orders in Europe is insufficient. Each year millions of euros are involved, ensuring that the impact on people's lives and, in particular, the lives of children is profound. Many UCERF researchers will participate in this research programme, which has as its main objective an analysis of existing national, European and international legislation in the field of maintenance and the formulation of solutions aimed at its improvement. For more information on this research programme please contact Prof. Katharina Boele-Woelki or telephone +31 (0) 30 253 7193.