As obrigações alimentares no direito internacional privado da União Europeia

The present text presents a critical analysis of the 2009 European Union Regulation (4/2009) on Maintenance Obligations, that contains rules on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and cooperation in matters relating to maintenance obligations, being therefore the first European Union instrument of private international law treating family law issues. After considering jurisdictional questions, according to the pattern of Regulation 44/2001 and the peculiarities of maintenance matters, the article considers applicable law problems, that are dealt by reference to the provisions of 2007 Hague Protocol on the law applicable to maintenance obligations, and pursues with issues of recognition and enforcement of decisions. Beyond these essential points, the text also considers other matters dealt by the instrument, like access to justice, court settlements and authentic instruments, cooperation between central authorities, public bodies and the general and final provisions. Finally, a critical synthesis of the main points of the Regulation is offered.