Child abduction

We have represented many clients in international child abduction matters.

We are able to advise you on all issues concerning child abduction cases including country of normal residence, whether there has been an abduction, removal or retention of the child and the best ways for you to proceed. We can also advise on the various defences available to the person who has wrongfully retained or removed the child from their country of habitual residence.

The Hague Convention, incorporated in English Law in the Child and Custody Act 1985, is an international convention designed to ensure that issues concerning a child's future are decided in the country in which the child is a citizen. Those countries which have signed the convention have accepted that their courts will generally return an abducted child to the country they came from unless there are very good reasons not to.

Details of the countries who are signatories of the Hague Convention and further information on the issue of child abduction can be found on the Reunite website at www.reunite.org.