New Belgium law on same sex marriages and its PIL implications

Reports on the law in Belgium which came into force on June 1, 2003 allowing same sex marriages. Examines the background to the law and the points considered by the Conseil d'Etat when reaching its decision relating to: (1) equal treatment between homosexual and heterosexual couples; (2) the definition of marriage; and (3) potential complications in private international law. Considers the potential impact of the Belgian law in private international law on matters such as recognition of same sex marriages abroad, the applicability of the 1978 Hague Convention on Celebration and Recognition of the Validity of Marriages and the effect on EC law.