In this talk, Sabine Brels explores these questions in providing a global overview of animal law at three levels: National, European and International. What is animal law, where does it come from, and how is it evolving? Why can we say that it is progressing worldwide? What are its main strengths and weaknesses in order to protect the welfare of animals against cruelty and suffering, either legally or illegally perpetrated? She also looks at current efforts to set up a universal protection of animal welfare. Lastly, she presents the new Global Animal Law (GAL) Project, aiming to improve the law for animals all around the world. 16 March 2015