International child abduction
Where a child is taken to or kept in a country that is not their usual country of residence without the consent of both parents the child may be considered to have been abducted and recourse may be available through the courts. In addition, where one parent decides to take their child to another country or keep them there without the consent of the other parent they may be committing a criminal offence.
If your child has been abducted from the UK or you believe they are at risk of this, they have been brought to the UK without your consent or you have brought your child to the UK without the other parent’s consent and you need expert legal advice please call our team as soon as possible on 01616 966 229 or fill in our online enquiry form. Acting quickly is essential in these cases.
The Hague Convention
If your child has been abducted we may be able to help you under the Hague Convention. The Hague Convention aims to ensure the safe return of an abducted child back to their country of residence.
A Hague Convention application can be made when a child is taken to or kept in a country that is not their usual country of residence without the consent of both parents and where both countries are party to the convention.
There are a large number of countries signed up to the Hague Convention but if the country your child has been taken to is not part of the agreement we can still advise you on the other options available to you in order to secure your child’s safe return to this country. This may include applying to court here or co-operating with lawyers in the country to which your child has been taken.
If the country your child has been taken to is not a party there may be other steps we can take to get your child returned to their country of residence quickly and safely.
If your child has been taken to another country by their other parent in what you suspect is an abduction it is essential that you act quickly.
If your child has been taken out of the country without your consent you must act quickly. Where there is no inter-country agreement our child abduction solicitors will advise you on the other options available to you to secure your child’s return to this country. These may include applying to court here or co-operating with lawyers in the country to which your child has been taken.
Why choose Stephensons?
Our experienced child abduction solicitors understand the stress and anxiety child abduction cases bring and aim to work with you to get the best possible outcome and return your child safely to their country of residence. Our solicitors are approved by the leading international child abduction charity – Reunite International.
If your child has been abducted by their other parent please call our child abduction team today on 01616 966 229 or fill in our online enquiry form and a member of the team will contact you directly.