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Author	Assoc Prof Muhammad Hassan Ahmad
Organisation/Institution	International Islamic University of Malaysia, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws (AIKOL)
Country	MALAYSIA
Panel	Family Law
Title	Bridging Domestic and International Spheres: Family Law Through the Lens of Public International Law
Abstract	The intersection between international law and family or personal matters has become increasingly significant in shaping contemporary legal frameworks. Traditionally, family law fell squarely within the domestic jurisdiction of states, grounded in national sovereignty and shaped by local customs, religious doctrines, and cultural norms. However, the expansion of international human rights law—together with the rise of cross-border family disputes—has blurred the once-distinct boundaries between domestic and international legal spheres. Today, international legal instruments exert substantial normative influence over matters such as marriage, divorce, child custody, parental rights, gender equality, and broader issues of personal status. Against this backdrop, this paper will examine the role of public international law in regulating family and personal matters, with particular emphasis on key global and regional conventions. It analyses the substantive provisions of these instruments, highlights the articles most relevant to family law, and evaluates the extent to which Malaysia complies with—or departs from—these international standards.
Biography	Muhamad Hassan Ahmad (Dr) is an Assistant Professor at the Civil Law Department, Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB (Hons)), Master of Comparative Laws (MCL), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) from IIUM. He has a special research interest in Public International Law, Private International Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Comparative Law, Jurisprudence, and Online Legal Education. He has published a number of research books, textbooks, and research articles in various academic journals; presented several research papers at numerous academic conferences and symposiums; and participated in many public forums.