Child abduction

If you are having concerns about the risk of a child being abducted from the UK, you should immediately seek legal advice. It is important to act quickly, so if your child has been abducted or retained after a visit, consult us as soon as possible.

Our team of Family Lawyers have years' of experience dealing with all aspects of Family Law including Children’s Law. They provide a sensitive, professional and proactive legal service.

If you would like to talk in confidence to one of our team of specialist family solicitors, please contact us to arrange a call back at your convenience.

Prohibited Steps Order

Where there is a real risk of abduction the Court can make a Prohibited Steps Order. This prohibits the removal of the child from the UK, or prevents anyone applying for passports/travel documents. These orders can, where there is a real urgency, be applied for without notice to the other parent. It may also be possible to obtain an “All Ports Warning” through the Police.

Child has been abducted - what to do?

If a child has been abducted from the UK, you should consult the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit. They are the Central Authority for the UK. They can assist you in obtaining legal advice and representation to pursue an application in the country to which your child has been abducted.

If a child has been abducted into the UK, you should consult your Central Authority. You may be entitled to free legal representation to make an application to the High Court for return of your child to your country. If so, your Central Authority will send your details to the UK Central Authority who will appoint a solicitor to represent you.

You should also consult a solicitor quickly, as sometimes it is possible to obtain orders in the High Court which assist in obtaining the return of your child to this country.

The Hague Convention

The UK and over 90 other countries are signatories to The Hague Convention, which deals with child abduction. If your child has been abducted to a signatory country, the legal process to seek return is clearly set out and the prospects of success are better.