Contributions from Leading Family Lawyers throughout the World

With a rise in the geographical mobility of families and the number of international marriages, the consequences of marital breakdown increasingly have a cross-jurisdictional dimension. It is important for clients and practitioners alike to be aware of the complexities involved in dealing with international family law issues. In light of this background, we are pleased to announce the publication of Family Law Jurisdictional Comparisons (2^nd edition), published by European Lawyer/Thomson Reuters.

The unprecedented success of the first edition of Family Law Jurisdictional Comparisons, published in 2011, is indicative of the growing importance of international family law and the huge appetite amongst family lawyers for a definitive guide to family law in core jurisdictions around the globe.

Alexandra Tribe an international family lawyer, was invited to author an analysis of the family law of the United Arab Emirates for the second edition of Family Law Jurisdictional Comparisons, which is now available to purchase from all Thomson Reuters and Sweet & Maxwell websites and from leading bookshops throughout the world.

Family Law Jurisdictional Comparisons has become the “must-have” publication for all family and divorce lawyers throughout the world who require a comprehensive and practical guide to the key components of family law across a multitude of major jurisdictions. It is also a tremendous resource for family office advisers and those professionals who advise international families.

Cases involving conflict of laws and questions about the application of foreign law are becoming increasingly common and many international family law issues such as the recognition of same-sex marriages, surrogacy agreements and pre and post-nuptial agreements have been hotly debated in the press and in wider society. Similarly, developments such as the Japanese government’s decision to ratify The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, and Russia’s recent ratification of the Convention, have come about following years of domestic and international campaigning. Against this background, Alexandra Tribe and her fellow authors felt that it was vital to provide family law professionals with a second, definitive, edition of Family Law Jurisdictional Comparisons which includes 16 new jurisdictions as diverse as Bermuda, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Monaco, Spain and the United Arab Emirates.

Family Law Jurisdictional Comparisons provides an update on the issues covered in the 2011 first edition, such as jurisdiction and conflict of laws, financial arrangements, children, cohabitation and marital agreements, and introduces new topics including surrogacy, adoption and alternative methods of dispute resolution. Comparing different laws across 46 jurisdictions, the book examines the varying details, solutions and problems of controversial family law issues.

According to Alexandra Tribe “This publication is the culmination of what has been a substantial research project and I am proud to see the finished result. Our objective was to provide the reader with a simple and accessible guide in which those at the very forefront of their fields highlight the different family law issues which are defining and changing our society around the world.”

Alexandra Tribe continued, “There has been a phenomenal increase in the number of family law cases with an international element, and there is no evidence that this growth will abate any time soon. The trend is partly caused by the growth of truly “international cities” such as London and New York, but also by the myriad of international conventions that govern issues such as child abduction. Against this backdrop, I felt it was essential to provide family law practitioners with an up to date, and improved, comprehensive resource book.

“By again adopting the Q&A format for each chapter, the aim has been to take what are, at times, emotive subjects, and give them a clear and logical response which could aid any international practitioner”, Alexandra Tribe concluded.

Reviews of Family Law Jurisdictional Comparisons

“This supremely practical book provides basic information on international family law operating in no less than forty-six jurisdictions. The General Editor was particularly astute to ensure that all these jurisdictions adopted the same template for their presentations. In this busy world the provision of basic legal information in an easily digestible form is what we all seek”.

Lord Justice Thorpe, Head of the Office of International Family Justice

“Truly a ‘comparative overview’ as the foreword claims – same questions posed to each jurisdiction – and, as such, truly indispensable to all international family lawyers.”

Tim Amos QC (Queen Elizabeth Building)

“This publication will be a tremendous resource for all family lawyers… The fact that the information is provided by so many Fellows of the IAML, who have the knowledge and expertise to identify and favourably resolve international issues, contributes significantly to its value.”

Cheryl Hepfer, President of the IAML

To purchase the book, please visit the Thomson Reuters/Sweet & Maxwell website:

http://www.sweetandmaxwell.co.uk/Catalogue/ProductDetails.aspx?productid=610526&recordid=5483