Committee of experts on the rights and the best interests of the child in parental separation and in care proceedings (CJ/ENF-ISE)

Under the supervision of the Steering Committee for the Rights of the Child (CDENF) and the European Committee on Legal Co-operation (CDCJ), the CJ/ENF-ISE undertakes a review of law, policy and practice on how the best interests of the child and their rights are protected in situations of parental separation.
The CJ/ENF-ISE also carries out a review of law, policy and practice on how the best interests of the child are protected in domestic law proceedings by public authorities to limit parental responsibilities or place a child in care.
Furthermore, the CJ/ENF-ISE will prepare, as appropriate, on the basis of the above-mentioned reviews, guidelines or other policy instruments or practical tools to give guidance to member States and other stakeholders in this area, in line with international and European standards and good practice, including the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights, relevant conventions of the Council of Europe and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Meetings 2022
6th meeting, 4 - 5 October 2022 (Dublin)
Conference on the rights and best interests of the child in parental separation and care proceedings, 3 October 2022 (Dublin)
Video recording of the conference
5th meeting, 2 - 4 May 2022 (Hybrid)

Background documents
- Terms of Reference of the CJ/ENF-ISE for 2022-2023
- Terms of Reference of the CJ/ENF-ISE for 2020-2021
- Working methods and workplan for 2021 revised and Working methods and workplan proposal 2022-2023
- Resolution CM/Res(2021)3 on intergovernmental committees and subordinate bodies, their terms of reference and working methods
Composition

Completed studies
- Feasibility study on a legal instrument on the protection of the best interests of the child in situations of parental separation
- Feasibility study of a legal instrument on the protection of the best interests of the child in domestic law proceedings by public authorities to limit parental responsibilities or place a child in care

