ObjectiveIn 2014, more than 660 000 third country nationals applied for international protection in the EU+, representing both the highest number and the sharpest year to year growth recorded. The recent massive influx of third country nationals in the EU has put some Member States’ reception and processing capacities under considerable strain and has stressed the shortcomings in the functioning of the Dublin system. This conference will provide asylum law practitioners with practical insight into the current challenges the Dublin system faces and new avenues for enhancing responsibility-sharing, solidarity and mutual trust among Member States while protecting the rights of asylum seekers. It will also analyse the recent case law of the European courts on asylum law.Key topicsAssessing the functioning of the Dublin system and identifying best practices in its implementation: Criteria for determining the responsible State and how to use the Dublin system to its fullestIssues related to family reunification, dependent persons and (unaccompanied) minorsReception conditions, detention of asylum seekers and existing alternatives: a comparative overviewProcedural safeguards and right to an effective remedyEffective coordination and role of national Dublin units and EASOEurodac, fingerprinting of asylum seekers and development of the ‘Hotspot’ approachComplementing the Dublin system: recent developments regarding a new European emergency relocation mechanism (Art. 78(3) TFEU) and a new European resettlement schemeUpdate on developments in European asylum policy and legislationRecent case law of the CJEU and ECtHR in the area of asylum law and their incorporation into national law