This chapter looks at how the fair trial guarantees under EU law are implemented and scrutinised in civil matters. It argues that the normative and institutional framework for the implementation of these guarantees in the field of civil judicial cooperation is structurally deficient insofar as their application and assessment by domestic courts remain largely exempt from EU oversight. This deficiency is attributed to the limited scope of CJEU jurisdiction over fundamental rights. It is nevertheless suggested that recourse to Article 19(1)(2) TEU by the CJEU as a benchmark for judicial organisation may give the Court a tighter grip and enhance the quality of civil justice across the EU.

This chapter provides an insight into how certain rights of the child – the definition of child, the best interests and the hearing of the child – have been incorporated in the recently revised Brussels II bis Regulation. The focus is on the 'overriding mechanism' in child abduction cases. The article points out major flaws in the current regulation’s scheme as illustrated in relevant CJEU case law. These shortcomings may affect the level of protection of the rights of the child, as well as the fundamental right to respect for family life under the ECHR. The chapter offers a critical view on the current regulatory scheme, particularly in the light of relevant CJEU case law. With a passing reference to the Commission’s 2016 Proposal, it details how the recently revised regulation (Brussels II bis Recast) deals with the weaknesses of the current framework and assesses the appropriateness and effectiveness of the amendments, critically examining whether the revised regulation is likely to overcome the difficulties encountered.

Chapter 10 highlights the key turning points in the history of disability policy in the EU and discusses the main tenets of the current EU legislative and policy action to protect, promote and ensure the rights of persons with disabilities. The chapter focuses on the current European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 and discusses its core elements. It then briefly examines the European Pillar of Social Rights and its features from a disability perspective. The chapter, then, considers the ratification of the CRPD and the effects that the Convention has in the EU legal order. Finally, the chapter briefly discusses Brexit and the consequences that the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU will have on the rights of people with disabilities in the Britain.

Chapter 10 highlights the key turning points in the history of disability policy in the EU and discusses the main tenets of the current EU legislative and policy action to protect, promote and ensure the rights of persons with disabilities. The chapter focuses on the current European Disability Strategy 2010-2020 and discusses its core elements. It then briefly examines the European Pillar of Social Rights and its features from a disability perspective. The chapter, then, considers the ratification of the CRPD and the effects that the Convention has in the EU legal order. Finally, the chapter briefly discusses Brexit and the consequences that the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU will have on the rights of people with disabilities in the Britain.