This new English commentary discusses the two directly applicable EU regulations and hence the central provisions of European divorce and family law - the so-called Rome III Regulation on enhanced cooperation in the field of separation and divorce -the so-called Brussels IIa Regulation on the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters as well as matters of parental responsibility (Council Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003). - In addition to various other European standards and conventions, these two directly applicable EU regulations are the central provisions of the new European divorce law and thus of paramount importance for every legal user in family law in all binational family law cases. The commentary is supplemented by a brief explanation of the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children (CISA). Dr Christoph Althammer is a professor for international private law at the University of Regensburg.