On 24 and 25 September 2020 the Council of Europe Committee of Experts on the Rights and the Best Interests of the Child in Parental Separation and in Care Proceedings (CJ/ENF-ISE) held its first meeting online, with Mr Seamus S. Carroll (Ireland) in the Chair.

The committee developed two questionnaires to support their review of laws, policy and practice aimed at ensuring the protection of the rights of the child and of the child’s best interests in situations of parental separation and in domestic proceedings to limit parental responsibilities or place a child in care.

Experts discussed the need for developing soft law instruments, possibly in the form of practical guidelines or handbooks for professionals dealing with parental separation situations and/or care proceedings, including practical checklists and how to consult relevant stakeholders and professionals and in particular children.

The next meeting of the CJ/ENF-ISE will take place on 14 and 18 December 2020.

- 1st meeting report of CJ/ENF-ISE

- 1st joint meeting report of CJ/ENF-ISE: CDCJ & CDENF BUREAUX