REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC COMPONENT

1. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC COMPONENT FAMILY LAW COOPERATION NETWORK Pilot Meeting – May 4-5, 2010

2. INFORMATION TO INCLUDE IN THE QUESTIONNAIRE • Relationship with the purpose of the Network • Identification of areas in which there exists a necessity for international legal cooperation • Without limiting the scope of the Network to the areas covered by the Inter-American Conventions on the matter • Need for colaboration between the Department of International Law and the countries that participate in the project

3. AREAS COVERED BY THE QUESTIONNAIRE • INTRODUCTION TO THE LEGAL SYSTEM • General description • Fundamental texts • Designated authority to participate in the Network • PROTECTION AGAINST ABUSE, INCLUDING SEXUAL ABUSE, OF MINORS • TRAFFIC IN, ABDUCTION AND RETURN OF MINORS • CARE, FAMILIAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS IN FAVOR OF MINORS • ADOPTION OF MINORS • PARENTAL AUTHORITY, CUSTODY OF MINORS AND VISITATION RIGHTS • ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND DECLARATION OF PATERNITY

4. INFORMATION TO PROVIDE PER EACH TOPIC • Brief description of the legal system • Texts of internal legislation • Bilateral treaties • Multilateral agreements • Competent authorities • Most relevant judicial decisions • Other documents of interest

5. THE EXPERIENCE WITH THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS • Submittal of the questionnaire • Receipt of commentaries and questions • Adjustment of the questionnaire • Receipt of the completed questionnaire • Incorporation to the public component

6. NEXT STEPS • Receipt of commentaries and adjustment of the questionnaire to the realities of a Federal state. • Receipt of legislation, international treaties and contact information of competent authorities • Receipt of descriptive summaries of the legal system of the countries per each topic