Wrongful Removal

International Child Abduction/Hague Proceedings

International Child abduction cases/ Return Orders under the Hague Convention

Clare Curran, Head of Family Law here at Curran Bowles Family Law, is one of a small number of specialist lawyers appointed to the Hague Convention Panel of Solicitors in Northern Ireland who is qualified to be appointed to represent parents of children who have been taken without consent to Northern Ireland by a removing parent. 

If you learn that your child has been removed from the country to Northern Ireland without your knowledge or consent, we can advise you who you need to contact and what you need to do.  Acting quickly and in a well informed way gives you the best possible chance to seek the return of your child home.

The law covering child abduction is the 1980 Hague Convention and Brussels II Revisited.  Both apply to a long list of countries who have agreed a process of international co-operation to ensure that these types of cases are dealt with quickly and effectively.

If you have learned that your child has been removed without your consent or that a child is being retained in Northern Ireland without your consent you should contact us straight away.  We will guide you through the process put you in touch with the Central Authority here in Northern Ireland and help you start the process to return the child home for issues of custody to be decided in their home country. 

Legal Aid funding is available for any parent seeking the return of a child to Northern Ireland under the Hague Convention, regardless of your income or financial circumstances.  It is not the same for a parent who has removed a child from their home country who will have to apply for Legal Aid in the usual way.

Get in touch today if you need advice on the wrongful removal or wrongful retention of your client to Northern Ireland, by emailing clare.curran@bowles-law.com or ring the office on 02897512722 to discuss your case in confidence.  Acting quickly is important as delay in taking action could have a detrimental impact on your case.