Practitioner’s Guide to International Family Law

About the Book - 

Practitioner’s Guide to International Family Law: An Indian Perspective is an authoritative and comprehensive resource that bridges the complexities of Indian family laws with the evolving challenges of international family law. Designed for practitioners, judges, academics, and students, the book addresses key issues such as cross-border marriage, divorce, child custody, maintenance, adoption, and the enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards. It explores the interplay between Indian personal laws—covering Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Parsi, and secular legal frameworks like the Special Marriage Act—and international legal instruments, including the Hague Conventions and other bilateral treaties governing family law.

The book provides in-depth guidance on jurisdictional dilemmas, forum shopping, conflict of laws, and the recognition of foreign decrees under Indian law, highlighting critical provisions and contemporary case law. The book highlights significant judicial interpretations and landmark decisions, ensuring readers remain updated with the latest legal developments. By bridging domestic family law with international instruments, treaties, and comparative case studies, the guide provides solutions to complex cross-border family disputes. Further focus is given to cases involving non-resident Indians, expatriates, and cross-border families, offering clarity on topics such as habitual residence, domicile, and the enforcement of maintenance and custody orders abroad. It presents a comparative analysis of legal systems to equip readers with tools to address globalized family disputes effectively.

With its focus on harmonizing domestic and international legal principles, this guide also engages with contemporary challenges, including inter-country child abduction, international surrogacy agreements, and cross-border domestic violence. Written with procedural precision and supported by practical examples, updated citations, and legislative reforms, the book is a definitive tool for navigating international family law issues while considering India’s unique legal and cultural contexts. It is an essential reading for those seeking to understand and resolve complex, multi-jurisdictional family law matters in an increasingly interconnected and legally pluralistic world.