International recovery of maintenance: highlights of the maintenance creditors interests in the regulation (CE) 4/2009

Abstract

This paper analyzes the content of the Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 of 18 December 2008 on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and cooperation in matters relating to maintenance obligations. Specifically, this paper focuses on the responses of the Regulation (CE) in these areas and clarifies the interest of the maintenance creditors on the jurisdiction rules, the application of rules on conflict of laws and the recognition and enforcement of decisions. The analysis of these issues shows the complexity of their regulation and assesses the difficulties of their practical implementation.