Academic Lecture by Professor Reiner Frank

October 14, 2013

On Monday, October 7, 2013, an academic lecture by Professor Emeritus Reiner Frank of the University of Freiburg, Germany, was held in the North Building Conference Room at the Mita Campus of Keio University on the theme of "New Care Law in Germany for Unmarried Parents."

Professor Frank has held a number of important positions, including Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Freiburg, President of the International Society of Family Law, President of the International Commission on Civil Status (CIEC), and President of the International Social Service (ISS). In addition to his current position as Professor Emeritus at the University of Freiburg, he is one of the world's most renowned civil law scholars, serving as Honorary President of the International Commission on Civil Status and as a Papal Nuncio (Council of Europe, Strasbourg).

In Europe, the percentage of "children born outside of marriage" (children of unmarried parents) is increasing, and the legal treatment of parental rights for such parents, especially fathers, is gaining social importance. Against this backdrop, Germany enacted a new law in 2013 to strengthen the parental rights of unmarried fathers.

In the lecture, Professor Frank provided valuable insights into the transformation of society and the role of law, considering not only the legal situation in Germany but also the diversity of marital relationships and parental rights across Europe. The lecture was followed by a lively exchange of opinions and a Q&A session with the professor.

(Koji Takekawa and Hiroki Tadaka, Faculty of Law)