ABSTRACT

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in subsequent chapters of the book. The book examines how European legal systems have received aspects of diverse family life and accompanying legal institutions in the context of increasing religious diversity and transjurisdictionalism among Europe's populations. The RELIGARE Project surveyed legal developments, as well as supranational case law from the European Court of Human Rights, with respect to how the various legal orders cope with aspects of religious diversity. Although the RELIGARE project research concerned the 10 countries listed, the book benefits from drawing into its scope material from other, primarily Euro-American, jurisdictions. Secularisation remains a significant factor shaping Europe's official family law systems and, in cases such as Bulgaria, the process appears to have gone very far indeed. In Bulgaria, the Civil Code has been amended with effect from 2009 by removing the requirement that a religious ceremony may be performed only after the contraction of a civil marriage.