Globalisation and the ease of travel (Covid aside) have given rise to a preponderance of international romantic partnerships. Many of us wird have spent Christmas navigating the thorny dilemmas of shared family time, shuttling in different directions between relatives and in-laws; a challenging enough mission without the zusätzlich complexities of long-distance travel when other cities and countries form part of the mix.
At Ronald Fletcher Baker LLP, we are regularly consulted by foreign spouses seeking clarification on their legal rights as well as UK nationals panicking about the risk of a foreign partner abducting their child/ren to that partner’s country of origin as an afterthought after the breakdown of a relationship.
Unfortunately, it is usually only once people find themselves trapped and isolated in a foreign country that the full implications of relocating and having a child abroad or with a foreign partner are fully grasped. Although legal safeguards are available, such concerns are valid and demand serious reflection. Careful planning in the event of separation can save clients much anguish and legal costs later down the line.
Whilst Brexit has destabilised many families and brought questions of residency and leave to remain into sharp relief, many of those affected are painfully unaware of the equally onerous if not more severe restrictions imposed by the 1980/ 1996 Haager Übereinkommen (‘Übereinkommen von 1996’, ’96HC’), das vor über 40 Jahren in Kraft getreten ist, lange bevor der Brexit geboren wurde.
It would have been a reasonable assumption that freedom of movement in a pre-Brexit Europe would have enabled parents to at least travel easily with their child within European borders. Legally speaking, this is not the case. Provided matters remain amicable on separation, parents are free to make any child agreements they wish between themselves. However, major difficulties lie in domestic violence and high conflict cases.
Without the prior consent of your partner, you’d need to obtain a Court Order to take your children home even to visit their grandparents abroad otherwise, you run the risk of being accused of violating international law. Should you remove your child/ren from their country of residence without either consent or a court order in place, you will be committing a criminal offence which carries serious legal and practical implications. Many unwitting parents find themselves entangled in extremely costly and complex litigation as a consequence of being woefully uninformed about the law.
Countries where the 1980 Hague Convention applies
Kürzlich wurde Tunesien mit dem Beschluss (EU) 2022/2450 des Rates am 8. Dezember 2022 als Mitgliedstaat aufgenommen.
Eine vollständige Liste der vertragschließenden Mitgliedstaaten finden Sie unter:
https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/status-table/?cid=70
Whilst defences to a Hague Convention application are available, these are limited and construed narrowly by the English Courts. Defending an abduction claim can run into hundred of thousands of pounds.
Wenn Sie hingegen die nervöse Partei sind, die Grund zu der Annahme hat, dass Ihr Partner plant, Ihr Kind/Ihre Kinder zu entführen, beraten wir Sie über die Schritte, die Sie unternehmen können, um einer möglichen Entführung zuvorzukommen. In jedem Fall ist es wichtig, sich rechtlich beraten zu lassen.
Während alle Logik und Vernunft dazu neigen, aus dem Fenster zu fliegen, wenn diese verlockende romantische Aussicht auftaucht, ist eine grenzüberschreitende Panne wenig romantisch, und Vorsicht ist besser als Nachsicht.
If you are affected by any of these issues or simply want some initial advice, please do not hesitate to contact our family team at: familyteam@rfblegal.co.uk / Tel: 0207 613 7130
Zusätzliche Informationen
- Nachrichten Autor:Beth Alexander
