Scherpe, Jens M. --- "European family law – Introduction to the book set" [2016] ELECD 165; in Scherpe, M. Jens (ed), "European Family Law Volume III" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2016) ix

Book Title: European Family Law Volume III

Editor(s): Scherpe, M. Jens

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781785363047

Section Title: European family law – Introduction to the book set

Author(s): Scherpe, Jens M.

Number of pages: 4

Extract:

European family law ­ Introduction to
the book set
Jens M. Scherpe

The central aim of this book set is to inform the reader about the
emerging European family law. As this area is in a surprising state of
flux, some of the details provided might be out of date by the time the
books are read. But since the aim of the set is not to provide detailed
knowledge but rather to focus on underlying principles and highlight
certain developments, in the view of the authors this does not detract
from its value. This set is intended to serve as a resource for anyone
interested in family law in general and in European family law in
particular, and does not purport to provide comprehensive answers to all
the complex questions raised in this area of law. In many ways, therefore,
it is meant to provide a starting point for research, which is indeed why
all of the contributions not only contain a wealth of references in the
footnotes but also a short list of suggested further reading in the
respective topic at the end.
In many ways, putting together a book set on European family law was
a daunting task. Not only is the definition of what a `family' is
increasingly undergoing changes in many jurisdictions, even what should
be considered `family law' is highly debated. If one adds `European' into
that mix, yet more questions arise. What is `European' in this context?
Does this comprise the entire continent, that ...