Child Abduction and Relocation
- Details
- Written by: Wembley Solicitors
If you are concerned that your child has been abducted, report the matter immediately to the police by phoning 999.
Cases of child abduction and relocation can be extremely distressing and stressful for the parents, children, and other family members involved. You can be fully assured that the family law team at Wembley Solicitors are dedicated to protecting the rights, well-being and future of the children we represent, no matter how complex or contentious the matter.
Who we serve
We represent children, parents, grandparents, guardians, and any other party with parental consent in cases of child abduction, international child abduction, and relocation cases. If your child has been taken out of the UK without your consent or in breach of a prohibited steps order (PSO) or a specific issue order (SIO), we will prioritise your case and fight to have them returned to the UK as safely and quickly as possible. We represent clients from across London, Middlesex, Wembley, and the surrounding areas to ensure the safe recovery of their children.
What we do
If you engage our services to ensure the safe recovery of your child in the event of an abduction or relocation by their other parent or another family member, we will listen carefully to your situation and concerns regarding your loved one and recommend the best course of action. Given the urgency of such cases, you can be assured that we will act promptly to take any legal action necessary and provide all the support we can.
Cases of child abduction and relocation require an understanding of the motivation of the other party, their intentions, and their willingness to negotiate. Depending on the exact circumstances, we will tailor a strategy to ensure the best possible outcome, which may include non-contentious methods such as mediation or seeking an immediate court order.
If your child under 16 years has been taken out of the UK to a country that is a member of the Hague Convention, we will take immediate action to expedite their return home. If they have been taken to a country outside the Hague Convention, we will initiate legal proceedings in that country to have your child returned.
If your child has not been abducted, but there is a genuine reason to believe they are at risk of abduction, we can recommend preventative legal measures to stop this from happening, including seeking a court order, surrendering passports, and issuing a port alert.
As a full-service law firm, we can also advise and represent you regarding any other legal matters, including in the areas of immigration, litigation, residential property, and criminal law.
Our family law ethos
When it comes to legal matters concerning children, we understand that there is often considerable resentment, worry, fear, and uncertainty; this is especially the case when it comes to child abduction and relocation. At Wembley Solicitors, we always prioritise the needs of children and will do all we can to ensure their safety and security.
We advocate a non-contentious approach where this is possible and in the interests of the child. By using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods such as mediation, we often achieve excellent resolutions to child matters without the intervention of the court. This has the considerable advantage of preserving relationships between the parties concerned. This not only means that any agreed outcomes are likely to be adhered to, but it also reduces the emotional impact on the children involved.
If your child has been taken out of the country, the other party is unwilling to negotiate, or there are other factors such as a history of domestic violence, we will work tirelessly through the courts to ensure the safe recovery of your child to the UK. Our caring, empathetic, sensitive child abduction Solicitors will keep you updated at every stage, provide you with the contacts and support you need, and work by your side to help ensure your child is returned home.
Child Abduction and Relocation FAQs
If your child has been abducted, the authorities may ask you to collate and provide information relating to the child and the suspected abductor, including:
- recent photos or a detailed physical description (including any distinguishing features), or both;
- any ongoing medical conditions for which treatment is required;
- full name, date and place of birth;
- passport numbers and date of issue;
- flight details or another itinerary for any known travel plans;
- full names and contact details of friends, family members or other persons in the UK and abroad who may be able to provide details of the location of the child(ren); and
- any existing court orders in force in relation to the child(ren).
The Hague Convention is a multilateral treaty which is intended to protect children from wrongful removal and retention across international boundaries. The Convention provides a procedure to bring about the prompt return of abducted children. At Wembley Solicitors, we understand the Hague Convention enforcement procedures and will act on your behalf to ensure the relevant authorities take the action necessary under the Convention.
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Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Moeen & Co. Solicitors before making any decisions based on the information provided on this website.