Debate Property rights for international couples, during the EP plenary session (22 - 23 June 2016) in Brussels. Debate (22/06),&nbsp;vote,&nbsp;and illustration shots

Brussels

debate

plenary session

vote

property rights for couples in the EU (T)

Property rights for international couples: extracts from the vote, extracts from the debate (22/06) and illustration shots

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Marie CAVADA (ALDE, FR), rapporteur, EU is having more than 16 million multinational couples, or international couples. These couples have assets: cars, houses, or have bank accounts, in various countries. When things go wrong, until now, it has been a true battle to know which country has the jurisdiction for determining assets and share out the responsibility.

SOUNDBITE (French), Jean-Marie CAVADA (ALDE, FR), Once these regulations are adopted, spouses or partners will have a choice. Certain conditions are in the country that will have a jurisdiction to judge and to determine the country of residence or the country where the couple or partners are nationals. Subject to very clear conditions, but sufficiently flexible.

SOUNDBITE (English), Tibor NAVRACSICS, Member of the EC in charge of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, These rules will provide international families with legal certainty and reduce the costs associated with procedures when the things go wrong. Couples will know with clarity which courts should only matter concerning their propriety and which national law should apply to such matters. These new rules also complete the programme o mutual recognition of decision in civil and commercial matters adopted by the Council on 30 Nov 2000 and fill and important gap in the field of Union family law.

SOUNDBITE (German), Axel VOSS (EPP, DE), This will have no legislative effect as far as the recognition of certain types of partnership which some member states do not recognise, this has create a sort of impediment, but it has nothing to do with that, I think indeed we are on the right path.

SOUNDBITE (German), Evelyne GEBHARDT (S&amp;D, DE), There were cases when the stronger the richer partner , or the more clever partner, in the case things go wrong , due to a separation or divorce , can raise their hand and determine to where to go to court, and the other follows. So we manage through this proposal, to create a legal situation where the Commission and the Council have been able to follow the recommendation of the EP.

Views during the vote - Total voters: 591 - in favour 498 - against 58 - abstentions 35 - Adopted

B- roll views in tribunals, cabinet of avocats, court of audience, judges.