Publication and Webinar: ELI Report on the EU Parenthood Proposal
Yesterday, the Project Report of the ELI Project “Enhancing Child Protection: Private International Law on Filiation and the European Commission’s Proposal COM/2022/695 final”
It contains constructive amendments to the original Commission’s Parenthood Proposal and intends to bring it more in line with the acquis and general considerations of EU PIL. Furthermore, it puts the best interest of the child in the focus of the analysis.
For a short background: In December 2022, the EU Commission published the Proposal for a Regulation on Private International Law Rules Relating to Parenthood (COM (2022) 695 fin). An analysis of the original proposal can be found, e.g., here.
Shortly afterwards, at the European Law Institute (ELI), a project group was established (led by Dr. Ilaria Pretelli and me). The following report, which proposes amendments to the initial Commission’s Proposal, was approved by the ELI Council in September 2025 and the ELI Membership in January 2026. The report was published yesterday and is available online here.
The Report examines the Commission Proposal and its critical role in advancing fundamental rights within the EU. While preserving the Commission’s Proposal’s core vision and framework, this analysis recommends strategic refinements that strengthen alignment with the existing EU acquis, foster deeper European integration, and enhance the protection of children’s fundamental rights. In addition, it expands upon the Proposal’s initial emphasis on the EU Strategies for children’s rights and LGBTIQA+ equality by incorporating a comprehensive women’s rights perspective.
If you are interested in the Report or the Proposal and like academic discussions about the subject, there will be a webinar on March 12, 2026, from 12:30-14:00 CET.