International Child Abduction

When your (ex-)partner takes your child to another country without your permission and refuses to bring the child back, it may be a case of international child abduction.

To determine if this is the case, the following must be clear:

• Who has custody of the children: If both of you have custody, the other parent cannot, in principle, take the child to another country without your consent.
• Where your child originally lived and where your child is now: Both Dutch rules and the rules of the country where the child is now play a role.

In answering these questions, the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction of 1980 is applicable. This Convention indicates when it is a case of international child abduction. The aim of the Convention is to prevent international child abduction and to ensure that an abducted child returns as quickly as possible to the country from which they were taken. For more information, see here.

We can advise you on the options available to you and, if necessary and possible, act on your behalf to ensure the return of your child.