Children in Migration and International Family Law The Child’s Best Interests Principle at the Interface of Migration Law and Family Law

"The chapters in this book are particularly useful to Anglophone practitioners, policymakers, and academics, as valuable insights from non-common law, non-English language jurisdictions are still largely overlooked in policy making, teaching, and research. Moreover, this book makes valuable contributions to private international law and the interactions between foreign and domestic laws. Given the central importance of the stable continuance of family life for adults and children who migrate, this volume provides a person-centred reflection on an important area of law." (Jonathan Collinson, International Journal of Refugee Law, January 20, 2026)

“The principle of the best interests of the child and its more effective implementation is a focal point in all chapters. … This book has many different strengths that stand out. … the book is a valuable resource for practising professionals (lawyers, social workers, etc.), academics, policy makers and other stakeholders.” (Bekir Güzel, European Journal of Migration and Law, Vol. 27 (2-3), 2025)

Bettina Heiderhoff is Director of the Institute for German and International Family Law and Professor for Private International Law, International Civil Procedure and German Private Law at the University of Münster. From 2006 to 2013, she held a Chair for Private Law at Hamburg University. Her research interests include international family law and the interface of migration law and family law. She is also specialised in EU private law and consumer protection.  

Stefan Arnold is Director of the Institute of International Business Law and holds the Chair for Private Law, Philosophy of Law, and Private International Law at the University of Münster. From 2014 to 2017, he held the Chair for Private Law, Comparative Law and Private International Law at the Karl Franzens University of Graz. He habilitated in 2013 at the Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich and was a member of the Young Academy of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities from 2011-2014. His research interests include international family law and philosophy of law.