BETA


2011/0059(CNS) Judicial cooperation in civil matters: jurisdiction, applicable law and recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of matrimonial property regimes

Progress: Procedure lapsed or withdrawn

RoleCommitteeRapporteurShadows
Lead JURI
Committee Opinion FEMM Norica NICOLAI (icon: ALDE ALDE)
Committee Opinion LIBE
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
TFEU 081-p3

Events

2017/05/20
   EC - Proposal withdrawn by Commission
2014/12/04
   CSL - Debate in Council
Documents
2014/12/04
   CSL - Council Meeting
2013/12/06
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2013/09/10
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2013/09/10
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 563 votes 21, with 58 abstentions, in the framework of a special legislative procedure (Parliament’s consultation), a legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of matrimonial property regimes.

Parliament approves the Commission proposal subject to the following amendments:

Scope and definition s : Parliament stipulates that the Regulation is neutral in its definition of ‘marriage’ and that it does not affect the definition of the concept of marriage in the national law of the Member States.

Members propose that the following should be excluded from the Regulation : (i) the existence, validity or recognition of a marriage; (ii) issues relating to succession due to death with reference to the surviving spouse; (iii) questions governed by the law of companies and other bodies, corporate or unincorporated; (iv) any recording in a register of rights in movable or immovable property, including the legal requirements for such recording, and the effects of recording or failing to record such rights in a register, and; (v) the system of maintenance settlements under German law and other similar arrangements in other Member States.

On the other hand, Members consider that gifts between spouses should not be excluded from the scope of the Regulation.

Concept of “court” : Parliament suggests adopting the definition of “court” as defined in Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 on matters of succession. The term shall mean any judicial authority and all other authorities and legal professionals with competence in matters of property regimes in registered partnerships which exercise judicial functions or have a similar force and effect as a decision of a judicial authority on the same matter.

Jurisdiction in matters of matrimonial property regimes within the Member States : this Regulation shall not affect domestic jurisdiction over matrimonial property cases in the Member States.

Jurisdiction in case of divorce : in divorce cases, it seems sensible not to provide for an automatic concentration of jurisdiction, including for associated issues of property rights, in order to preserve the interests of the parties concerned more effectively and to ensure that they accept the jurisdiction of the divorce court.

Choice-of-court agreement : spouses may agree that the courts of the Member State whose law they have chosen as the law applicable to their matrimonial property regime are to have jurisdiction to rule on matters of their matrimonial property regime. Parliament also states that the spouses may also agree that, if no court has been chosen, the courts of the Member State whose law is applicable are to have jurisdiction.

Jurisdiction based on the appearance of the defendant : it is proposed to add a new article on jurisdiction based on appearance.

In order to protect less well advised spouses against tacit consent to a jurisdiction unfavourable to them, which they therefore would not wish, it seems desirable at the same time to provide for instruction concerning jurisdiction based on appearance and its consequences in law.

A clearer formulation is proposed for the alternative jurisdiction rule in Article 6.

With regard to the rule on forum necessitatis , the amended text makes it clear that this is intended only to cater for extreme exceptions. Jurisdiction based on forum necessitatis should, however, be exercised only if the case has a sufficient connection with the Member State of the court seised.

Provision of information to spouses : the competent authority shall be obliged to inform the spouse(s), within a reasonable time, of any matrimonial property regime proceedings which are initiated against them.

Applicable law : Parliament is supportive of the principles of ‘unity of the applicable law’ and universal application, which are proposed by the Commission.

For the purpose of determining the scope of the applicable law, Members propose a positive list, which enumerates by way of example issues which are subject to the law applicable, such as: (i) the division of the spouses’ property into different categories before and after the marriage; (ii) the transfer of property from one category to another; (iii) liability for the other spouse’s debts, where necessary; (iv) the spouses’ rights of disposal during the marriage.

Choice of applicable law : the amendments concerning agreements on the applicable law are intended to combine Articles 16 (choice of applicable law) and 18 (change of applicable law) in order to eliminate the structural and systematic weaknesses in the Commission proposal.

The text states that unless the spouses indicate otherwise, a change of the law applicable to the matrimonial property regime made during the marriage shall be effective only in the future.

If the spouses choose to make that change of applicable law retroactive, its retroactive effect shall not affect the validity of previous transactions entered into under the law hitherto applicable or the rights of third parties deriving from the law previously applicable.

Establishing the applicable law in the event of no choice : the provision governing the applicable law in the event of no choice having been made has been revised.

The agreement on the choice of applicable law shall be expressed in writing, dated and signed by both spouses. That agreement shall comply with the formal requirements of the law applicable to the matrimonial property regime or of the law of the State in which the agreement was concluded.

Adaptation of rights in rem : this Regulation – like Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 – should not affect the limited number (‘numerus clausus’) of rights in rem known in the national law of some Member States. A new article states that where a person invokes a right in rem to which he or she is entitled under the law applicable to the matrimonial property regime and the law of the Member State in which the right is invoked does not know the right in rem in question, that right shall, if necessary and to the extent possible, be adapted to the closest equivalent right in rem under the law of that State, taking into account the aims and the interests pursued by the specific right in rem and the effects attached to it.

Recognition, enforceability and enforcement : the report proposes, in view of the complexity of the procedures, to retain the exequatur procedure and hence to incorporate the corresponding provisions of the Regulation on succession.

Overriding mandatory provisions : this Regulation shall not restrict the application of the overriding mandatory provisions of the law of the forum, without prejudice to the transaction protection provisions applicable.

A recital makes it clear that protection of the family home and assignment of rights of use in relations between the spouses are an important instance where overriding mandatory provisions should be applied.

Parallel amendments are proposed in the legislative resolution on the proposed Council Regulation as regards jurisdiction, applicable law and recognition and enforcement of decisions regarding property consequences of registered partnerships.

Documents
2013/09/09
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2013/08/21
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
Documents
2013/08/20
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading
Documents
2013/06/20
   EP - Vote in committee
2013/06/06
   CSL - Debate in Council
Documents
2013/06/06
   CSL - Council Meeting
2012/09/24
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2012/09/06
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2012/07/25
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2012/05/07
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2011/08/17
   AT_NATIONALRAT - Contribution
Documents
2011/06/05
   RO_CHAMBER - Contribution
Documents
2011/06/05
   RO_SENATE - Contribution
Documents
2011/05/25
   BG_PARLIAMENT - Contribution
Documents
2011/05/22
   PT_PARLIAMENT - Contribution
Documents
2011/05/10
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2011/03/16
   EC - Document attached to the procedure
2011/03/16
   EC - Document attached to the procedure
2011/03/16
   EC - Legislative proposal published
Details

PURPOSE: to establish a comprehensive set of rules of international private law applicable to matrimonial property regimes.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Regulation.

BACKGROUND: the increased mobility of persons within an area without internal frontiers leads to a marked increase in the number of couples formed by nationals of different Member States who may live in a Member State of which they do not have the nationality and acquire property in more than one Union country.

A study carried out in 2003 showed the large number of transnational couples within the Union and the practical and legal difficulties such couples face, both in the daily management of their property and in its division if the couple separate or one of its members dies. These difficulties often arise from the great disparities between the applicable rules of substantive law and private international law governing the property effects of marriage.

Because of the distinctive features of marriage and registered partnerships, and of the different legal consequences resulting from these forms of union, the Commission is presenting two separate Regulations : one on jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of matrimonial property regimes, and the other on jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of the property consequences of registered partnerships .

These proposals are part of the Commission's efforts to dismantle the obstacles faced by EU citizens in their daily lives when they try to exercise the rights the EU confers on them, as outlined in the 2010 EU Citizenship Report .

IMPACT ASSESSEMENT: on 17 July 2006, the Commission adopted the Green Paper on the conflict of laws in matters concerning matrimonial property regimes , including the question of jurisdiction and mutual recognition. This Green Paper launched wide consultations on all aspects of the difficulties faced by couples in Europe when it comes to the liquidation of their common property and the legal remedies available.

The Commission has also conducted a joint impact study on the proposals for Regulations on matrimonial property regimes and the property consequences of registered partnerships. It is attached to this proposal.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 81(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which confers on the Council the power to adopt measures concerning family law having cross-border implications after consulting the European Parliament.

CONTENT: to provide married couples with legal certainty as to their property and offer them a degree of predictability, all the rules applicable to matrimonial property regimes should be covered in a single instrument.

In order to achieve the desired objectives, this proposal aims to establish a clear legal framework in the European Union for determining jurisdiction and the law applicable to matrimonial property regimes and facilitating the movement of decisions and instruments among the Member States. The rules proposed are concerned only with cross-border cases.

This Regulation covers issues in connection with matrimonial property regimes. It does not define 'marriage', which is defined by the national laws of the Member States.

The scope of this Regulation should extend to all civil matters in relation to matrimonial property regimes, both the daily management of marital property and the liquidation of the regime, in particular as a result of the couple's separation or the death of one of the spouses.

The main elements of the proposal are as follows:

Jurisdiction : t he aim of this Regulation is to enable citizens to have the various related procedures handled by the courts of the same Member State. To ensure that in the event of the death of one of the spouses the competent court can handle both the succession of the deceased spouse and the liquidation of the matrimonial property, this proposal provides that the court having jurisdiction for wills and successions according to the rules laid down in the proposed Regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and authentic instruments in matters of succession and the creation of a European Certificate of Succession, should have its jurisdiction enlarged to include the liquidation of the matrimonial property resulting from the succession or will in question.

Similarly, the court with jurisdiction for divorce proceedings, legal separation or marriage annulment may, if the spouses agree, extend its jurisdiction to the liquidation of the matrimonial property following the separation procedure and to other matters concerning the matrimonial property arising from this procedure.

Applicable law : the harmonisation of the rules on jurisdiction will greatly simplify procedures by making it possible to establish the court with jurisdiction over a matrimonial property case on the basis of common rules. If courts seised with divorce proceedings, legal separations, annulments of marriage and succession cases in application of existing or future EU legislation have their jurisdiction extended to any related matrimonial property regime proceedings, citizens will be able to have the same court deal with all aspects of their situation.

The option proposed in the Regulation is that of a single scheme : all the property of the spouses would be subject to the same law, the law applicable to the matrimonial property regime.

The Regulation therefore provides that the law applicable to matrimonial property, whether chosen by the spouses or, in the absence of any such choice, determined under other provisions, will apply to all the couple's property, movable or immovable, irrespective of their location.

Recognition, enforceability and enforcement : the proposed Regulation provides for the free movement of decisions, authentic instruments and court settlements concerning matrimonial property regimes. It would thus introduce mutual recognition based on the mutual trust arising out of the integration of the Member States within the European Union.

This free movement would take the form of a uniform procedure for the recognition and enforcement of decisions, authentic acts and legal transactions originating in another Member State.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.

Documents

Activities

AmendmentsDossier
40 2011/0059(CNS)
2012/04/02 FEMM 14 amendments...
source: PE-486.089
2012/06/26 LIBE 13 amendments...
source: PE-491.234
2012/09/24 JURI 13 amendments...
source: PE-496.496

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

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  • body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) meeting_id: 3244 url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=SMPL&ROWSPP=25&RESULTSET=1&NRROWS=500&DOC_LANCD=EN&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC&CONTENTS=3244*&MEET_DATE=06/06/2013 date: 2013-06-06T00:00:00
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  • date: 2011-03-16T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/sec/2011/0327/COM_SEC(2011)0327_EN.pdf title: SEC(2011)0327 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=SECfinal&an_doc=2011&nu_doc=327 title: EUR-Lex type: Document attached to the procedure body: EC
  • date: 2011-03-16T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/sec/2011/0328/COM_SEC(2011)0328_EN.pdf title: SEC(2011)0328 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=SECfinal&an_doc=2011&nu_doc=328 title: EUR-Lex type: Document attached to the procedure body: EC
  • date: 2012-05-07T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE478.403&secondRef=02 title: PE478.403 committee: FEMM type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2012-07-25T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE494.578 title: PE494.578 type: Committee draft report body: EP
  • date: 2012-09-06T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE473.957&secondRef=02 title: PE473.957 committee: LIBE type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2012-09-24T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE496.496 title: PE496.496 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2013-12-06T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=23289&j=0&l=en title: SP(2013)774 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
  • date: 2011-08-18T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2011)0126 title: COM(2011)0126 type: Contribution body: AT_NATIONALRAT
  • date: 2011-05-26T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2011)0126 title: COM(2011)0126 type: Contribution body: BG_PARLIAMENT
  • date: 2011-05-23T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2011)0126 title: COM(2011)0126 type: Contribution body: PT_PARLIAMENT
  • date: 2011-06-06T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2011)0126 title: COM(2011)0126 type: Contribution body: RO_CHAMBER
  • date: 2011-06-06T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.connefof.europarl.europa.eu/connefof/app/exp/COM(2011)0126 title: COM(2011)0126 type: Contribution body: RO_SENATE
events
  • date: 2011-03-16T00:00:00 type: Legislative proposal published body: EC docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2011/0126/COM_COM(2011)0126_EN.pdf title: COM(2011)0126 url: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=EN&type_doc=COMfinal&an_doc=2011&nu_doc=126 title: EUR-Lex summary: PURPOSE: to establish a comprehensive set of rules of international private law applicable to matrimonial property regimes. PROPOSED ACT: Council Regulation. BACKGROUND: the increased mobility of persons within an area without internal frontiers leads to a marked increase in the number of couples formed by nationals of different Member States who may live in a Member State of which they do not have the nationality and acquire property in more than one Union country. A study carried out in 2003 showed the large number of transnational couples within the Union and the practical and legal difficulties such couples face, both in the daily management of their property and in its division if the couple separate or one of its members dies. These difficulties often arise from the great disparities between the applicable rules of substantive law and private international law governing the property effects of marriage. Because of the distinctive features of marriage and registered partnerships, and of the different legal consequences resulting from these forms of union, the Commission is presenting two separate Regulations : one on jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of matrimonial property regimes, and the other on jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of the property consequences of registered partnerships . These proposals are part of the Commission's efforts to dismantle the obstacles faced by EU citizens in their daily lives when they try to exercise the rights the EU confers on them, as outlined in the 2010 EU Citizenship Report . IMPACT ASSESSEMENT: on 17 July 2006, the Commission adopted the Green Paper on the conflict of laws in matters concerning matrimonial property regimes , including the question of jurisdiction and mutual recognition. This Green Paper launched wide consultations on all aspects of the difficulties faced by couples in Europe when it comes to the liquidation of their common property and the legal remedies available. The Commission has also conducted a joint impact study on the proposals for Regulations on matrimonial property regimes and the property consequences of registered partnerships. It is attached to this proposal. LEGAL BASIS: Article 81(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which confers on the Council the power to adopt measures concerning family law having cross-border implications after consulting the European Parliament. CONTENT: to provide married couples with legal certainty as to their property and offer them a degree of predictability, all the rules applicable to matrimonial property regimes should be covered in a single instrument. In order to achieve the desired objectives, this proposal aims to establish a clear legal framework in the European Union for determining jurisdiction and the law applicable to matrimonial property regimes and facilitating the movement of decisions and instruments among the Member States. The rules proposed are concerned only with cross-border cases. This Regulation covers issues in connection with matrimonial property regimes. It does not define 'marriage', which is defined by the national laws of the Member States. The scope of this Regulation should extend to all civil matters in relation to matrimonial property regimes, both the daily management of marital property and the liquidation of the regime, in particular as a result of the couple's separation or the death of one of the spouses. The main elements of the proposal are as follows: Jurisdiction : t he aim of this Regulation is to enable citizens to have the various related procedures handled by the courts of the same Member State. To ensure that in the event of the death of one of the spouses the competent court can handle both the succession of the deceased spouse and the liquidation of the matrimonial property, this proposal provides that the court having jurisdiction for wills and successions according to the rules laid down in the proposed Regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and authentic instruments in matters of succession and the creation of a European Certificate of Succession, should have its jurisdiction enlarged to include the liquidation of the matrimonial property resulting from the succession or will in question. Similarly, the court with jurisdiction for divorce proceedings, legal separation or marriage annulment may, if the spouses agree, extend its jurisdiction to the liquidation of the matrimonial property following the separation procedure and to other matters concerning the matrimonial property arising from this procedure. Applicable law : the harmonisation of the rules on jurisdiction will greatly simplify procedures by making it possible to establish the court with jurisdiction over a matrimonial property case on the basis of common rules. If courts seised with divorce proceedings, legal separations, annulments of marriage and succession cases in application of existing or future EU legislation have their jurisdiction extended to any related matrimonial property regime proceedings, citizens will be able to have the same court deal with all aspects of their situation. The option proposed in the Regulation is that of a single scheme : all the property of the spouses would be subject to the same law, the law applicable to the matrimonial property regime. The Regulation therefore provides that the law applicable to matrimonial property, whether chosen by the spouses or, in the absence of any such choice, determined under other provisions, will apply to all the couple's property, movable or immovable, irrespective of their location. Recognition, enforceability and enforcement : the proposed Regulation provides for the free movement of decisions, authentic instruments and court settlements concerning matrimonial property regimes. It would thus introduce mutual recognition based on the mutual trust arising out of the integration of the Member States within the European Union. This free movement would take the form of a uniform procedure for the recognition and enforcement of decisions, authentic acts and legal transactions originating in another Member State. BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: this proposal has no implications for the EU budget.
  • date: 2011-05-10T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2013-06-06T00:00:00 type: Debate in Council body: CSL docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=SMPL&ROWSPP=25&RESULTSET=1&NRROWS=500&DOC_LANCD=EN&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC&CONTENTS=3244*&MEET_DATE=06/06/2013 title: 3244
  • date: 2013-06-20T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2013-08-21T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2013-253&language=EN title: A7-0253/2013 summary: The Committee on Legal Affairs adopted, in the framework of a special legislative procedure (Parliament’s consultation), the report by Alexandra THEIN (ADLE, DE) on the proposal for a Council regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of matrimonial property regimes. The committee approves the Commission proposal subject to the following amendments: Scope and definition s: Members stipulate that the Regulation is neutral in its definition of ‘marriage’ and that it does not affect the definition of the concept of marriage in the national law of the Member States. Members propose that the following should be excluded from the Regulation : (i) the existence, validity or recognition of a marriage; (ii) issues relating to succession due to death with reference to the surviving spouse; (iii) questions governed by the law of companies and other bodies, corporate or unincorporated; (iv) any recording in a register of rights in movable or immovable property, including the legal requirements for such recording, and the effects of recording or failing to record such rights in a register, and; (v) the system of maintenance settlements under German law and other similar arrangements in other Member States. On the other hand, Members consider that gifts between spouses should not be excluded from the scope of the Regulation. Concept of “court” : the report suggests adopting the definition of “court” as defined in Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 on matters of succession in order to take into account the different models of organisation in the Member States in property matters as well. Jurisdiction in matters of matrimonial property regimes within the Member States : it is states that this Regulation shall not affect domestic jurisdiction over matrimonial property cases in the Member States. Jurisdiction in case of divorce : in divorce cases, it seems sensible not to provide for an automatic concentration of jurisdiction, including for associated issues of property rights, in order to preserve the interests of the parties concerned more effectively and to ensure that they accept the jurisdiction of the divorce court. Choice-of-court agreement : Members propose that the spouses may agree that the courts of the Member State whose law they have chosen as the law applicable to their matrimonial property regime are to have jurisdiction to rule on matters of their matrimonial property regime. Members also state that the spouses may also agree that, if no court has been chosen, the courts of the Member State whose law is applicable are to have jurisdiction. Jurisdiction based on the appearance of the defendant : it is proposed to add a new article on jurisdiction based on appearance. In order to protect less well advised spouses against tacit consent to a jurisdiction unfavourable to them, which they therefore would not wish, it seems desirable at the same time to provide for instruction concerning jurisdiction based on appearance and its consequences in law. A clearer formulation is proposed for the alternative jurisdiction rule in Article 6. With regard to the rule on forum necessitatis , the text makes it clear that this is intended only to cater for extreme exceptions. Applicable law : Members are supportive of the principles of ‘unity of the applicable law’ and universal application, which are proposed by the Commission. For the purpose of determining the scope of the applicable law, she proposes a positive list, which enumerates by way of example issues which are subject to the law applicable, such as: (i) the division of the spouses’ property into different categories before and after the marriage; (ii) the transfer of property from one category to another; (iii) liability for the other spouse’s debts, where necessary; (iv) the spouses’ rights of disposal during the marriage. Choice of applicable law : the amendments concerning agreements on the applicable law are intended to combine Articles 16 (choice of applicable law) and 18 (change of applicable law) in order to eliminate the structural and systematic weaknesses in the Commission proposal. The text states that unless the spouses indicate otherwise, a change of the law applicable to the matrimonial property regime made during the marriage shall be effective only in the future. If the spouses choose to make that change of applicable law retroactive, its retroactive effect shall not affect the validity of previous transactions entered into under the law hitherto applicable or the rights of third parties deriving from the law previously applicable. Establishing the applicable law in the event of no choice : the provision governing the applicable law in the event of no choice having been made has been revised. The agreement on the choice of applicable law shall be expressed in writing, dated and signed by both spouses. That agreement shall comply with the formal requirements of the law applicable to the matrimonial property regime or of the law of the State in which the agreement was concluded. Adaptation of rights in rem : this Regulation – like Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 – should not affect the limited number (‘numerus clausus’) of rights in rem known in the national law of some Member States. A new article states that where a person invokes a right in rem to which he or she is entitled under the law applicable to the matrimonial property regime and the law of the Member State in which the right is invoked does not know the right in rem in question, that right shall, if necessary and to the extent possible, be adapted to the closest equivalent right in rem under the law of that State, taking into account the aims and the interests pursued by the specific right in rem and the effects attached to it. Recognition, enforceability and enforcement : the report proposes, in view of the complexity of the procedures, to retain the exequatur procedure and hence to incorporate the corresponding provisions of the Regulation on succession. Overriding mandatory provisions : this Regulation shall not restrict the application of the overriding mandatory provisions of the law of the forum, without prejudice to the transaction protection provisions applicable. A recital makes it clear that protection of the family home and assignment of rights of use in relations between the spouses are an important instance where overriding mandatory provisions should be applied. Parallel amendments are proposed in the committee report on the proposed Council Regulation as regards jurisdiction, applicable law and recognition and enforcement of decisions regarding property consequences of registered partnerships.
  • date: 2013-09-09T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20130909&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2013-09-10T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=23289&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2013-09-10T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2013-338 title: T7-0338/2013 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 563 votes 21, with 58 abstentions, in the framework of a special legislative procedure (Parliament’s consultation), a legislative resolution on the proposal for a Council regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law and the recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of matrimonial property regimes. Parliament approves the Commission proposal subject to the following amendments: Scope and definition s : Parliament stipulates that the Regulation is neutral in its definition of ‘marriage’ and that it does not affect the definition of the concept of marriage in the national law of the Member States. Members propose that the following should be excluded from the Regulation : (i) the existence, validity or recognition of a marriage; (ii) issues relating to succession due to death with reference to the surviving spouse; (iii) questions governed by the law of companies and other bodies, corporate or unincorporated; (iv) any recording in a register of rights in movable or immovable property, including the legal requirements for such recording, and the effects of recording or failing to record such rights in a register, and; (v) the system of maintenance settlements under German law and other similar arrangements in other Member States. On the other hand, Members consider that gifts between spouses should not be excluded from the scope of the Regulation. Concept of “court” : Parliament suggests adopting the definition of “court” as defined in Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 on matters of succession. The term shall mean any judicial authority and all other authorities and legal professionals with competence in matters of property regimes in registered partnerships which exercise judicial functions or have a similar force and effect as a decision of a judicial authority on the same matter. Jurisdiction in matters of matrimonial property regimes within the Member States : this Regulation shall not affect domestic jurisdiction over matrimonial property cases in the Member States. Jurisdiction in case of divorce : in divorce cases, it seems sensible not to provide for an automatic concentration of jurisdiction, including for associated issues of property rights, in order to preserve the interests of the parties concerned more effectively and to ensure that they accept the jurisdiction of the divorce court. Choice-of-court agreement : spouses may agree that the courts of the Member State whose law they have chosen as the law applicable to their matrimonial property regime are to have jurisdiction to rule on matters of their matrimonial property regime. Parliament also states that the spouses may also agree that, if no court has been chosen, the courts of the Member State whose law is applicable are to have jurisdiction. Jurisdiction based on the appearance of the defendant : it is proposed to add a new article on jurisdiction based on appearance. In order to protect less well advised spouses against tacit consent to a jurisdiction unfavourable to them, which they therefore would not wish, it seems desirable at the same time to provide for instruction concerning jurisdiction based on appearance and its consequences in law. A clearer formulation is proposed for the alternative jurisdiction rule in Article 6. With regard to the rule on forum necessitatis , the amended text makes it clear that this is intended only to cater for extreme exceptions. Jurisdiction based on forum necessitatis should, however, be exercised only if the case has a sufficient connection with the Member State of the court seised. Provision of information to spouses : the competent authority shall be obliged to inform the spouse(s), within a reasonable time, of any matrimonial property regime proceedings which are initiated against them. Applicable law : Parliament is supportive of the principles of ‘unity of the applicable law’ and universal application, which are proposed by the Commission. For the purpose of determining the scope of the applicable law, Members propose a positive list, which enumerates by way of example issues which are subject to the law applicable, such as: (i) the division of the spouses’ property into different categories before and after the marriage; (ii) the transfer of property from one category to another; (iii) liability for the other spouse’s debts, where necessary; (iv) the spouses’ rights of disposal during the marriage. Choice of applicable law : the amendments concerning agreements on the applicable law are intended to combine Articles 16 (choice of applicable law) and 18 (change of applicable law) in order to eliminate the structural and systematic weaknesses in the Commission proposal. The text states that unless the spouses indicate otherwise, a change of the law applicable to the matrimonial property regime made during the marriage shall be effective only in the future. If the spouses choose to make that change of applicable law retroactive, its retroactive effect shall not affect the validity of previous transactions entered into under the law hitherto applicable or the rights of third parties deriving from the law previously applicable. Establishing the applicable law in the event of no choice : the provision governing the applicable law in the event of no choice having been made has been revised. The agreement on the choice of applicable law shall be expressed in writing, dated and signed by both spouses. That agreement shall comply with the formal requirements of the law applicable to the matrimonial property regime or of the law of the State in which the agreement was concluded. Adaptation of rights in rem : this Regulation – like Regulation (EU) No 650/2012 – should not affect the limited number (‘numerus clausus’) of rights in rem known in the national law of some Member States. A new article states that where a person invokes a right in rem to which he or she is entitled under the law applicable to the matrimonial property regime and the law of the Member State in which the right is invoked does not know the right in rem in question, that right shall, if necessary and to the extent possible, be adapted to the closest equivalent right in rem under the law of that State, taking into account the aims and the interests pursued by the specific right in rem and the effects attached to it. Recognition, enforceability and enforcement : the report proposes, in view of the complexity of the procedures, to retain the exequatur procedure and hence to incorporate the corresponding provisions of the Regulation on succession. Overriding mandatory provisions : this Regulation shall not restrict the application of the overriding mandatory provisions of the law of the forum, without prejudice to the transaction protection provisions applicable. A recital makes it clear that protection of the family home and assignment of rights of use in relations between the spouses are an important instance where overriding mandatory provisions should be applied. Parallel amendments are proposed in the legislative resolution on the proposed Council Regulation as regards jurisdiction, applicable law and recognition and enforcement of decisions regarding property consequences of registered partnerships.
  • date: 2014-12-04T00:00:00 type: Debate in Council body: CSL docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=SMPL&ROWSPP=25&RESULTSET=1&NRROWS=500&DOC_LANCD=EN&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC&CONTENTS=3354*&MEET_DATE=04/12/2014 title: 3354
other
  • body: CSL type: Council Meeting council: Former Council configuration
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/justice-and-consumers_en title: Justice and Consumers commissioner: REDING Viviane
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  • 1.20 Citizen's rights
  • 7.40.02 Judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters
New
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Citizen's rights
7.40.02
Judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters
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  • date: 2011-03-16T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/com/2011/0126/COM_COM(2011)0126_EN.pdf title: COM(2011)0126 type: Legislative proposal published celexid: CELEX:52011PC0126:EN body: EC commission: DG: url: http://ec.europa.eu/justice/ title: Justice Commissioner: REDING Viviane type: Legislative proposal published
  • date: 2011-05-10T00:00:00 body: EP type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: FEMM date: 2011-04-19T00:00:00 committee_full: Women's Rights and Gender Equality rapporteur: group: ECR name: YANNAKOUDAKIS Marina body: EP shadows: group: PPE name: BALDASSARRE Raffaele group: S&D name: CASTEX Françoise group: Verts/ALE name: LICHTENBERGER Eva group: ECR name: KARIM Sajjad group: GUE/NGL name: MAŠTÁLKA Jiří group: EFD name: SPERONI Francesco Enrico responsible: True committee: JURI date: 2011-04-12T00:00:00 committee_full: Legal Affairs rapporteur: group: ALDE name: THEIN Alexandra body: EP responsible: False committee: LIBE date: 2011-05-24T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: S&D name: GEBHARDT Evelyne
  • body: CSL meeting_id: 3244 docs: url: http://register.consilium.europa.eu/content/out?lang=EN&typ=SET&i=SMPL&ROWSPP=25&RESULTSET=1&NRROWS=500&DOC_LANCD=EN&ORDERBY=DOC_DATE+DESC&CONTENTS=3244*&MEET_DATE=06/06/2013 type: Debate in Council title: 3244 council: Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) date: 2013-06-06T00:00:00 type: Council Meeting
  • date: 2013-06-20T00:00:00 body: EP type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: FEMM date: 2011-04-19T00:00:00 committee_full: Women's Rights and Gender Equality rapporteur: group: ECR name: YANNAKOUDAKIS Marina body: EP shadows: group: PPE name: BALDASSARRE Raffaele group: S&D name: CASTEX Françoise group: Verts/ALE name: LICHTENBERGER Eva group: ECR name: KARIM Sajjad group: GUE/NGL name: MAŠTÁLKA Jiří group: EFD name: SPERONI Francesco Enrico responsible: True committee: JURI date: 2011-04-12T00:00:00 committee_full: Legal Affairs rapporteur: group: ALDE name: THEIN Alexandra body: EP responsible: False committee: LIBE date: 2011-05-24T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: S&D name: GEBHARDT Evelyne
  • body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A7-2013-253&language=EN type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading title: A7-0253/2013 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading committees: body: EP responsible: False committee: FEMM date: 2011-04-19T00:00:00 committee_full: Women's Rights and Gender Equality rapporteur: group: ECR name: YANNAKOUDAKIS Marina body: EP shadows: group: PPE name: BALDASSARRE Raffaele group: S&D name: CASTEX Françoise group: Verts/ALE name: LICHTENBERGER Eva group: ECR name: KARIM Sajjad group: GUE/NGL name: MAŠTÁLKA Jiří group: EFD name: SPERONI Francesco Enrico responsible: True committee: JURI date: 2011-04-12T00:00:00 committee_full: Legal Affairs rapporteur: group: ALDE name: THEIN Alexandra body: EP responsible: False committee: LIBE date: 2011-05-24T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: S&D name: GEBHARDT Evelyne date: 2013-08-21T00:00:00
  • date: 2013-09-09T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20130909&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament body: EP type: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2013-09-10T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=23289&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2013-338 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0338/2013 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
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  • body: EP responsible: False committee: FEMM date: 2011-04-19T00:00:00 committee_full: Women's Rights and Gender Equality rapporteur: group: ECR name: YANNAKOUDAKIS Marina
  • body: EP shadows: group: PPE name: BALDASSARRE Raffaele group: S&D name: CASTEX Françoise group: Verts/ALE name: LICHTENBERGER Eva group: ECR name: KARIM Sajjad group: GUE/NGL name: MAŠTÁLKA Jiří group: EFD name: SPERONI Francesco Enrico responsible: True committee: JURI date: 2011-04-12T00:00:00 committee_full: Legal Affairs rapporteur: group: ALDE name: THEIN Alexandra
  • body: EP responsible: False committee: LIBE date: 2011-05-24T00:00:00 committee_full: Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs rapporteur: group: S&D name: GEBHARDT Evelyne
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National parliaments
European Commission
other
  • body: EC dg: url: http://ec.europa.eu/justice/ title: Justice commissioner: REDING Viviane
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Legislation
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instrument
Regulation
Modified legal basis
Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 150
title
Judicial cooperation in civil matters: jurisdiction, applicable law and recognition and enforcement of decisions in matters of matrimonial property regimes
type
CNS - Consultation procedure
subject