When someone (including the parent of your child) removes a child from their usual residence without proper consent or Court approval it may be an abduction. It is important to act promptly and our team of child abduction lawyers in London can assist you in this process. There are also remedies in place for removal of a child within this jurisdiction (known as an internal abduction) which we can also assist you with if necessary.
You need to particularly consider the need for advice in any of these scenarios:
International treaties such as the Hague Convention on Child Abduction are in place between this country and over 100 other states (the number of signatories is regularly increasing). This makes is much easier to seek the return of a child and, as a general rule, the courts of reciprocating Hague Convention states will often order the return of abducted children.
Where the country is not a Hague Convention signatory it tends to be much harder to seek the return of a child but there are some conventions in place and reciprocal agreements depending on the jurisdiction concerned.
Internal child abduction is best dealt with by seeking emergency orders which can be dealt with at short-notice or emergency hearings.
If your partner will not consent to your taking your child abroad, and if you are not able to resolve the situation through direct discussions or mediation, you will need to consider making an application for leave to remove. Initially attempts should be made to resolve the position through preliminary negotiations which, where possible, avoid the need to go to court or settle the matter at an early hearing. However, the reality of the situation is that the courts are well equipped to deal with and rule on the issue of leaving the jurisdiction and we can help you make an appropriate application.
If you are considering relocating and it is clear one parent may not consent you should speak to us and ask about the process. You will need to articulate how the move is take place and how contact with what is known as the ‘left behind parent’ will work.
In addition to acting for parents who would like relocate we regularly act for the ‘left behind parent’ in any proposed relocation case and would be pleased to advice you if you find yourself in the same situation.
At Fletcher Day, our City-based team of child abduction lawyers includes specialist partners with a combined knowledge of over 80 years of post-qualification experience covering a wide and extremely varied client base. We have an understanding of the courts up and down the country as well as disputes involving complex international problems. We have a collection of reported cases, varied and specialised experience as well as a combined tenacious attitude to argue your case in the best and most effective way possible. We act for a wide range of individuals from our local City client base to all sorts of individuals based both here and internationally.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch on 020 7766 5260 , fill in our’How can we help’ form or get in touch.
As soon as your partner has exceeded an agreed stay abroad he or she is abducting your child. You should promptly seek advice.
If you are the main carer for your child this will be treated as being internally abducted. You should not delay and seek advice about appropriate court orders for their return.
It is very important you act fast. You can apply for a type of Order known as a “Wardship Order” which allows your child to be made a “Ward of Court” in other words, the court can decide what happens and the court is immediately in charge of the process.
