This chapter provides an introduction to the first of the two areas of substantive law of relevance to this book, namely, European asylum law. It gives an outline of the 1951 Convention regime, which remains the cornerstone of refugee law in Europe. Next, attention on how international human rights law has developed its own is given, complementary, system of protection. The bulk of the chapter devotes to the system of regional protection in the EU, namely, the Common European Asylum System (CEAS). The genesis and development of the system is outlined. This is important because it helps explain some of the particular features and nuances of the system. Finally, an overview is provided of the content of the key instruments of the CEAS. It is largely descriptive and general since it lays the foundation for sustained child-rights analysis in the subsequent chapters.