All's Well That Ends Registered?

Since 1989, Europe has witnessed an exponential increase in the number of so-called registered partnership schemes introduced alongside marriage. The diversity of registration schemes has created numerous problems in cases involving an international or cross-border element. This book focuses on these new registration schemes and is divided into two main parts. The first part is dedicated to the analysis and comparison of the substantive law rules of Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (England & Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). On the basis of this comparison, it is concluded that although these registration schemes appear to be dissimilar, they all fulfil a common function. This conclusion serves as the starting point for the second part, which examines the private international law rules applicable to such relationships. Unification of these rules is deemed to be not only desirable, but also feasible. This book serves as a reference tool for a