This book considers the case for modernising partnership rights in EC family reunification law. Existing Community law guarantees immigration rights only to spouses and yet there is a growing diversity of national laws on registered partnerships and recognition of cohabitation.

The discussion on immigration rights also tackles the important question of whether judicial activism is appropriate or whether there should be judicial deference to the legislative process currently underway. The book concludes with a wider discussion of the proper response of Community law to the increasing diversity of Member States family laws and policies. The book will be of value not only to immigration lawyers, but also to those interested in partnership rights generally, as well as to a wider audience of EU lawyers, primarily academics but also graduate students and practitioners.