This article analyses the new rules applicable in Italy for the pritection of children in a cross-border setting. On 1 January 2016, subsequent to a lengthy ratification process, the 1996 Hague Convention on the protection of children entered into force in Italy. The provisions set forth therein supplement the other international instruments already implmented in the Italian legal system. In particular, while the 1996 Hague Convention complements Regulation (EC) No 2201/2003 (so-called Brussels IIa) by providing a set of rules for determining which national law governs parental responsability and, in general, children protection meaures, the EC Regulation prevails over the 1996 Hague Convention with respect to those matters that are regulated by both instruments (i.e. jurisdiction and recognition and enforcement of judgements). In addition, the 1996 Hague Convention needs to be coordinated with the 1980 Hague Convention on international child abduction. Private international law issues arising from such legal framework are thoroughly examined in this Article, which focuses on the principles and criteria underlying the relevant international and European instruments, whose primary objective rests in the enhancement of an effective protection of the child's best interests.
1. Il contesto internazionale in cui si colloca la convenzione dell'Aja del 1996. - 2. I caratteri generali della convenzione e il suo campo di applicazione. - 3. I titoli di giurisdizione e le misure provvisorie ed urgenti. - 4.La sottrazione internazionale. - 5. Le regole residuali di competenza giurisdizionale. - 6. La legge applicabile. - 7. Il riconoscimento e l' esecuzione. - 8. La cooperazione tra autorità. - 9. Considerazioni conclusive.