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| DROI2336-1 | Selected questions of private international law
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| Duration : | 30h Th |
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| Number of credits : |
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| Lecturer : | Patrick Wautelet |
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Language(s) of instruction :
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| French language |
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Course contents :
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| This course is meant as an addition to the general course on private international law. Students will be given the possibility to deepen their knowlegde of the rules and principles of private international law, based on the study of difficulties arising in cross-border family relationships.
Among the issues discussed, special attention will be devoted to the marriage (in particular so-called marriages of convenience), the consequences of marriage, divorce and other related proceedings, adoption and parent-child relations including child abduction.
These questions will be studied using first the applicable European instruments (and in particular Regulation 2201/2003 on divorce and parental responsibility). International conventions, such as the Hague Convention on Child Abduction will also be studied. Finally, attention will be paid to the rules applicable in the Belgian context, and in particular the Code of Private International Law. Occasionally the lecturer will also make reference to solutions adopted in foreign jurisdictions, both for issues of substance as for issues of private international law.
The class will be taught lecture style, with general presentations of the solutions adopted in Belgian and international law, including European rules. The focus will be very much on recent decisions of courts. The students will be invited to participate actively in the discussion, in particular by solving cases which will be handed out beforehand. |
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Learning outcomes of the course :
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| The course is meant to give students a deeper understanding of the main concepts and issues of private international law, using real life examples drawn from problematic cross-border family situations.
The course is also meant to give students the possibility to reflect on the difficulties arising from the existence of different national legal orders, embodying different values. |
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Prerequisites and co-requisites/ Recommended optional programme components :
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| It is imperative that students who wish to enroll, have at least a minimum knowledge of the basic mechanisms and rules of private international law (when does a court have jurisdiction to hear a cross-border dispute, what law should apply to a transnational relationship and what effects can be given to foreign judgments).
A good knowlegde of the French language is also required. |
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Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
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| The course will be taught in lecture style. Students will, however, be invited to prepare the lectures and read the cases assigned for the next lecture. Preparation is strongly recommended, especially if the student's command of the English language is limited. |
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Recommended or required readings :
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| Students will have the possibility to obtain a detailed handout for each class meeting, with indications on the main rules studied and a discussion of the main difficulties. Students will also have the possibility to obtain a reader with materials such as court decisions and the main regulations studied. |
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Assessment methods and criteria :
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| Students will be required to take part in a written exam. They will be asked to solve a practical case in 20 minutes.
Students can also opt to write an essay on a topic to be discussed with the professor. The essay will count as final evaluation. The essay must in principle be written in French. |
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Organizational remarks :
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| This course will only be offered every two years (2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2011-2012 etc.). |
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Contacts :
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| Questions and queries may be addressed to : patrick.wautelet@ulg.ac.be or after each class meeting. |
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