The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty designed to ensure the prompt return of children wrongfully removed or retained across international borders between contracting state parties (countries). It seeks to protect children from the harmful effects of international child abduction (by a parent) and focusses on ensuring that in cross-border disputes regarding parenting arrangements, the member state (country) determined to be the child’s country of habitual residence retains jurisdiction to determine such family law “custody” matters in accordance with their domestic law.
Australia is a contracting member state of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Hague Convention matters are complex and often time sensitive, so contact us immediately if you have concerns about a child being wrongfully removed from or retained in Australia.
