If a child is taken abroad without your consent or kept overseas against your wishes, it may be classed as international child abduction. These cases are urgent, emotionally difficult and often require immediate legal action.
MSB’s international child abduction solicitors advise parents on urgent protective steps, return applications, Hague Convention cases, non-Hague Convention cases and cross-border arrangements for children.
Our team includes Dr Emma Palmer, Partner and Head of Family, who is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. We are also instructed by the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit to represent parents abroad in child abduction proceedings.
Concerned your child has been taken abroad or may be removed from the country?
Call 0331 630 1144, email familylaw@msbsolicitors.co.uk or complete our enquiry form.
Key Contact
Key issues in international child abduction
International child abduction cases often move quickly. Early advice can help you understand the legal options, protect your child’s position and take urgent steps before matters become harder to resolve.
A child taken abroad without consent
We advise where a child has been removed from England and Wales without the agreement of everyone with parental responsibility or without permission from the court.
A child retained overseas
A child may also be wrongfully retained abroad if they are not returned after a holiday, visit or agreed period overseas. We can advise on urgent next steps.
Hague Convention cases
Where the country involved is a Hague Convention country, there may be a formal process for seeking the child’s return. We can advise on the legal test, evidence and procedure.
Non-Hague Convention cases
Where the country is not part of the Hague Convention, different legal and practical steps may be needed. These cases often require urgent, carefully coordinated advice.
Preventing removal from the country
If you are worried that your child may be taken abroad without consent, we can advise on urgent protective steps, including court applications where needed.
Cross-border child arrangements
We also advise on international contact, travel, relocation, passports, holidays and arrangements where parents live in different countries.
International child abduction experience
MSB’s family law team has significant experience in complex international children cases.
Our team includes Dr Emma Palmer, Partner and Head of Family, who is a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers. We are also instructed by the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit to represent parents abroad in child abduction proceedings.
The team includes solicitors accredited by Resolution in specialist areas including child abduction, forced marriage and honour-based abuse.
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Meet the team
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What to do if your child has been taken abroad
If your child has been taken abroad without your consent, or has not been returned after an agreed trip, it is important to seek legal advice urgently.
The steps available will depend on the countries involved, whether the Hague Convention applies, whether there are existing court orders and who has parental responsibility.
We can help you understand the legal position, what evidence may be needed and what urgent action can be taken to protect your child’s welfare and seek their return.
Preventing international child abduction
If you are concerned that the other parent may remove your child from the country, early advice can make a significant difference.
Depending on the circumstances, protective steps may include urgent court applications, passport arrangements, port alerts, prohibited steps orders or other measures designed to reduce the risk of removal.
We will help you understand what options are available and how quickly action may need to be taken.
Hague Convention and non-Hague Convention cases
International child abduction cases are often dealt with differently depending on whether the country involved is a Hague Convention country.
In Hague Convention cases, there may be a formal route for applying for the child’s return. In non-Hague Convention cases, the approach can be more complex and may involve different legal, diplomatic or practical considerations.
We advise parents on both Hague and non-Hague cases and, where needed, work with overseas lawyers and other professionals to coordinate the right approach.
How our international child abduction solicitors can help
We provide urgent, clear and practical advice in international child abduction cases.
We can help you understand whether a removal or retention may be wrongful, what immediate steps should be taken, how the Hague Convention may apply and what evidence will be important.
Our role is to help you act quickly, protect your child’s position and navigate a difficult cross-border legal process with as much clarity as possible.
FAQs
What is international child abduction?
International child abduction can occur when a child is taken abroad or kept overseas without the consent of everyone with parental responsibility or without permission from the court.
What should I do if my child has been taken abroad without my permission?
What if my child has not been returned after a holiday?
Can I prevent my ex-partner from taking our child abroad?
What is the Hague Convention?
What if the country is not part of the Hague Convention?
Do I need a court order to take my child abroad?
What if I am accused of international child abduction?
Can MSB help if proceedings are taking place abroad?
What if I cannot afford legal fees?
Speak to our international child abduction solicitors
If your child has been taken abroad, retained overseas or you are worried that they may be removed from the country, urgent advice is important.
We will listen, explain your options and help you take the next step as quickly as possible.
Call 0331 630 1144, email familylaw@msbsolicitors.co.uk or complete our enquiry form.
