The Right of Contact Between Grandparents and Grandchildren and the Implementation of Article 8 ECHR in Dutch National Law: A comparative study of Dutch, Belgian, English and Norwegian law

Abstract

In this contribution we aim to review and discuss the implementation of ECHR standards regarding the right of contact between grandparents and grandchildren in national law. We will set out the ECHR standard and provide a comparative analysis of grandparents’ contact rights in Dutch, Belgian, English/Welsh and Norwegian law. Based on a discussion of recent important legislative developments in the Netherlands and Norway we will review these against the ECHR standard. The comparative study of these European jurisdictions will give fruit for thought on how the right of grandparents to family life can and should be transcribed into national law.