It is quite common to hear about separated parents living in different countries where one parent denies the return of a child after a temporary parental visit. Spain protects parents who have child custody and who are residents in Spain through their national laws, international agreements and bilateral agreements between countries.
Legal & Finance
Legal Matters
New Criminal Law
by Maria Teresa Velasco •
On the 23rd December 2010, the new reformed Penal Code will come into force. The new modifications are designed to provide new devices for fighting town planning and organised crime.
Unfinished Building Projects
by Maria Teresa Velasco •
This month we take a look at bank liability in court cases regarding unfinished building projects. When you buy a resale property it is quite easy to check that the building and the construction quality correspond to the specifications in the property description. For off-plan properties, as you might expect, this is much more difficult…
Comunidad Ins and Outs
by Maria Teresa Velasco •
When you own a property in Spain, you will most probably belong to a community of owners or residents association, except where your property is a detached house and not within an urbanización.
Enforcement of Foreign Judgements
by Maria Teresa Velasco •
It is becoming common nowadays to see lawyers from countries within the EU requiring the enforcement of sentences passed by tribunals in other EU countries. For example, if your debtor has moved to Spain, leaving no assets in his home country, you can still enforce the legal resolution in Spain. Another example is child custody…
Reform in Traffic Law.
by Maria Teresa Velasco •
The Ministry of the Interior and the Traffic Department (Dirección General de Tráfico or DGT) have recently issued information regarding the new traffic laws that came into force in May.
British Embassy Newsletter – August
by Editor •
The monthly newsletter from the British Embassy in Madrid with useful information for British residents in Spain
How To File a Claim
by Maria Teresa Velasco •
How to claim water damages from your insurance company due to exceptional weather conditions.
Changes in Building Regulations
by Maria Teresa Velasco •
Article 92.2.a) of the Andalusian statutes state that the municipal councils are responsible for urban discipline and are answerable to the Junta de Andalucía. The emphasis of these new regulations is placed on the restrictive part of the law, that is to say severe fines and demolition orders.
Drug Offences
by Maria Teresa Velasco •
Drug abuse is considered to be ‘the chronic or habitual use of any chemical substance to alter states of body or mind for other than medically warranted purposes.’