Views
Draft General Law on Private International Law aims to bring Brazil from the 19th into the 21st century
Guest post by Gustavo Ferraz de Campos Monaco, Full Professor of Private Internacional Law – University of São Paulo
In Brazilian law, the regulation of conflicts of laws is still based on a legislation from 1942, during a dictatorial regime, which explains its inspiration from the Italian fascist regime. The values prevailing in Brazilian society back then were quite different from those we hold today, especially in matters concerning family relationships. At that time, the family unit was viewed as having a single domicile, and questions related to the definition of parenthood were unthinkable outside traditional presumptions.
On at least two occasions over the past 83 years, attempts to draft new regulations were undertaken by leading figures in the field – Haroldo Valladão, Jacob Dolinger, and João Grandino Rodas – but both initiatives failed during the process, without the Plenary of the Legislative Houses having expressed an opinion on the merits of the projects. Read more
Brazilian Supreme Court on the Hague Child Abduction Convention
Guest post by Janaína Albuquerque, International Family Lawyer; Research Associate at the NOVA Centre for the Study of Gender, Family and the Law; Legal Coordinator at Revibra Europa. Janaína represented Revibra, Instituto Maria da Penha and Instituto Superação da Violência Doméstica as amici curiae in the cases discussed below.
The Brazilian Supreme Court has recently delivered a landmark judgment in two Direct Actions of Unconstitutionality (Ações Diretas de Inconstitucionalidade, or ADIs), namely ADI 4245 and ADI 7686, concerning the application of the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction(1980HC). Despite their denomination, these actions did not aim to invalidate the Convention, but rather to harmonize its interpretation with the principles enshrined in the Brazilian Federal Constitution.[1] Read more
EU modernises consumer dispute resolution: An overview of the new ADR Directive
By Alexia Kaztaridou (Linklaters)
On 25 September 2025, the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee (IMCO) of the European Parliament approved the text of the political agreement on the Alternative Disputes Resolution for Consumer Disputes Directive. This Directive establishes a framework for resolving through ADR procedures contractual domestic and cross-border consumer disputes arising from the sale of goods or provision of services between consumers and traders within an EU context. The amendments to the prior Directive aim to modernise the existing framework in light of new consumer trends, such as the growth of e-commerce, and bring significant changes across several areas, enhancing the protection for consumers and clarifying obligations for traders and ADR entities. The Directive maintains its minimum harmonisation approach, allowing Member States to provide for stronger consumer protection. Read more
News
EAPIL Conference in Geneva (18-20 June 2026): Early bird registration ends on 15 March!
As report earlier on this blog, the third bi-annual conference of the European Association of Private International Law (EAPIL) will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 18 to 20 June 2026. Under the title “Shaping the Future of Private International Law in Europe – Putting Together the Pieces & Filling Gaps”, the conference will address structural developments, unresolved issues, and emerging challenges in European private international law. The program is available on the conference’s website.
Early bird registration will close on 15 March 2026. You are welcome to register using this link.
EAPIL is looking forward to seeing you in Geneva!
Praxis des Internationalen Privat- und Verfahrensrechts (IPRax) 2/2026: Abstracts
The latest issue of the „Praxis des Internationalen Privat- und Verfahrensrechts“ (IPRax) features the following articles:
Registration open: Australasian Association of Private International Law Conference, Sydney, 16-17 April 2026
Registrations for the 2026 AAPrIL Conference, to be held on 16 and 17 Apriil 2026, are now open!
VENUE: Ashurst Lawyers
Level 8, 39 Martin Place
Sydney, New South Wales 2000
AUSTRALIA
PANELS AND SESSIONS:
- Jurisdiction
- Private International Law and Digitalisation
- Regional and International Cooperation
- Arbitration
- Applicable Law
Attendance at conference sessions can be used for CPD; you will need to check local requirements.
REGISTRATION FEES:
If you are coming for both days, please select Friday.
Non-member 2 days: $160
Non-member 1 day: $90
AAPrIL member 2 days: $120
AAPrIL member 1 day: $70
Student: Free to attend the conference only
Conference dinner: $110 for dinner and a selection of drinks
REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
Access to all conference sessions
Morning tea and coffee, morning teas and lunches
Access to purchase a conference dinner ticket at an additional cost of $110