My child has been taken abroad by the other parent without my consent. What can I do?
Posted on June 15th 2022Child abduction can arise following a relationship breakdown and where one parent has family outside England and Wales and leaves the UK with the child without the consent of other parent or permission of the Court.
There are emergency steps that can be taken to prevent the removal of a child in circumstances where a parent believes there is an imminent risk of abduction. Urgent legal advice should be sought immediately.
If you are concerned that the other parent may try to remove your child from the UK, it is possible to apply to the court for a Prohibited Steps Order and/or a Residence Order. This will state that your child cannot be taken out of the UK and may even require one parent to surrender a child’s passport and /or the passport of the parent you fear may be planning to abduct your child.
Our dedicated Family Law team can also assist you in alerting the police so that details of your child can be circulated to the relevant authorities for example, ports and border agents. An application can be made to the country where a child has been taken to and for the child to be return to the care of the other parent in cases where a child has been taken to an EU country which subscribes to the Hague Convention or the European Convention.
If your child has been taken to a country that does not subscribe to these international agreements, we can assist you making your child a Ward of Court and obtaining advice on the laws in the country where your child has been taken to and how to make an application in that country for your child’s return.
Please do not hesitate to contact our Family Law Department on 01384 371622 should you require legal advice and assistance.