Child Abduction Solicitors

Q: What if one parent wants to move abroad?

If either parent wants to relocate internationally with your child, you must both agree. If you don’t, you must have a very strong defence as to why a move would be best for your child. Failing an agreement, you should speak to a lawyer to consider your options.

Q: What is the Hague Convention?

The 1980 Hague Convention on International Child Abduction is an international treaty where participating governments have agreed to cooperate in cases of child abduction. The governments agree to share information and make sure any child who’s unlawfully brought into their country is returned quickly, apart from cases where a parent successfully argues that a defence is applicable.

If your child has been taken by your ex-partner without your consent, it’s important to act fast. Whether it’s in the UK or abroad, our expert solicitors can help you make sure your child is returned safely.

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Legal expertise when you need it most

We understand how upsetting and stressful this time can be. Our experts will work quickly and sensitively to make sure your child is safe and back with you.

Child abduction cases can be traumatic and often complex – especially when international law must be considered. You need a team you can trust to work as quickly as possible to keep your child safe.

Our in-house counsellor, Vicky Lambert, is here to offer support and help you. When you use our family law services, you’ll have four free counselling services to use at any time; additional sessions can be arranged at a cost.

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Speak to our experts

We have the largest private client team in the UK, our team of experts are here to provide discreet legal advice to support you and your family.

Clare Wiseman

Head of Family Law

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Meet our experts

Clare Wiseman

Head of Family Law

Find out more

How can we help?

If your child has been relocated without your consent, we can apply to the courts on your behalf to have them returned to you.

If they’ve been taken overseas, we’ll provide you with a specialist legal team with a network of foreign lawyers – all of whom are experts in the relevant international agreements (like the Hague Convention) and protocols.

If you think an abduction might happen, we can apply for an urgent court order to prevent it. This means if the other parent attempts an abduction, they will be criminally charged.

We can step in if:

Your child has been taken to another part of the UK without your consent
You have been accused of failing to return your child to the UK from abroad
Your child has been (or is at risk of being) taken overseas from the UK without your consent
Your child has been (or is at risk of being) taken from overseas to England or Wales without your consent
You have travelled to England and Wales from overseas with your child and want to stay, but you don’t know if you have the consent of the other parent
Your ex-partner won’t allow you to take your child away because they think you won't return when agreed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is child abduction?

Child abduction is when a parent takes a child out of the UK without the consent of the other parent. It can be:

Wrongful removal, when your child is removed from a country without your permission
Wrongful retention, where your child is kept in another country without your permission.

This can happen when you agree to them leaving the country, but they don’t return home when agreed.

Can a parent abduct a child?

If you have got a Child Arrangement Order in place that states your child lives with you all or part of the time, you can take your child abroad for up to 28 days without consent from the other parent. This doesn’t count as abduction.

But a parent can “abduct” a child, even if they have custody. To be out of the country for longer than 28 days, you will still need the other parent’s consent. If you take your child without it, you could face criminal charges.

What if my ex has relocated to another part of the UK?

Sometimes called an ‘internal relocation’, moving a child across the country should only happen by consent between both parents, or by way of an order from the court if you can’t agree on the move in advance.

If you don't have a Child Arrangements Order, you may need to make a court application to deal with arrangements for your child. We can help you apply – and we can also step in if you don’t know where they’ve gone.

What if one parent wants to move abroad?

What is the Hague Convention?

How long does it take to resolve a child abduction?

We know how devastating and stressful these situations can be. The aim is always to resolve the matter on an urgent basis – but the timeline will depend on the location of your child and the parent in question. If the Hague Convention applies (see above), you must apply for a court order within one year of the abduction.

If your child has been taken to a country that falls outside of any convention, we will work with you to decide a course of action.

Our commitment to you

Our experts always start by listening, so we understand what matters most from day one.

01
Clear legal guidance
You will always get straightforward, honest advice, with regular updates to keep you clear on the way forward.
02
Specialist knowledge
A wide-ranging team of trusted specialists who understand what it takes to protect your future, your family or your business.
03
Your needs first
Whether you’re navigating complex personal situations or business decisions, we take the time to understand your world and what’s at stake.