ABSTRACT
The common feature of the 33 countries examined in this Research Companion is the existence of multiple statutes governing family law (commonly referred to as “personal status laws”), often determined by membership in specific religious or ethnic communities. Yet, the country-specific chapters reveal significant differences in the number, structure, and functioning of these pluralities of statuses. Building on previous attempts, it is possible to propose a typology of these legal orders according to various criteria. While such a typology can be useful, it remains inherently static, grounded in the rules of positive law which, in nearly all the countries studied, are old, sometimes outdated, and often difficult to reform. We must therefore also take into account societal tensions and evolving case law which, in a few countries, are gradually reshaping these legal boundaries. Ultimately, it may be necessary to consider moving away from typologies altogether, in favour of analysingdeviations from an ideal type.
