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We are international child abduction solicitors ready to advise you on issues of child abduction, international child relocation, and international rights of access. Our family solicitors provide specialist legal advice to help you achieve the outcome you want.
What is Child Abduction Law?
Child Abduction is when a child (under 16) is taken from their parents or legal guardian without any form of consent. This can be parental abduction or non-parental abduction, and both are illegal under the Child Abduction Act 1984. There were 1,148 child abduction reports in England and Wales in 2023/4 – an increase on the year before. If your child is taken abroad without your consent and no resolution, you will need to seek specialist legal advice to push the process of safely returning your child.
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What to Expect From Our Child Abduction Solicitors?
International children’s law is a technical area of law, and we are one of the few firms with the expertise and experience to provide you with fast and accurate legal advice and the best strategic approach to help you achieve the outcome you want.
Some of our lawyers are accredited by Resolution as specialists, including in child abduction, in recognition of their expertise, and many are multilingual.
We are members of the Child Abduction Lawyers Association, and we are listed in Reunites specialist network of lawyers.
Why Choose TV Edwards?
Our specialist family team is top ranked in Chambers UK and highly commended in the Legal 500 2025 legal directories. The department has been recognised in The Times as a top 20 firm for family law in their 2025 guide.
Having a large team of dedicated and specialist solicitors means that we can advise in a wide range of family cases, including divorce, finances and children. Our specialist expert divorce solicitors handle complex cases with significant assets. Our specialist children lawyers are often at the forefront of family law handling groundbreaking cases in the high court and court of appeal.
We are passionate about the work do and are committed to provide exceptional client service to get you the best possible outcome in often stressful circumstances.
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Child Abduction Frequently Asked Questions
How Will A Solicitor Help With Child Abduction?
Our specialist child law solicitors can help with all cases of child abduction and family relocation. This includes:
- If your child has been removed from the UK without consent
- If your child hasn’t returned to you in the agreed timescale
- If your child has been adducted by the other parent, family member or non-parental abduction
- If you have been accused of child abduction wrongfully
What Should I Do If I Think My Child Is Going To Be Abducted?
If you are concerned that your child may be taken abroad without your permission, we can act fast to take urgent legal action to stop your child leaving the country before it is too late.
If your child has already left the country, our specialist child abduction solicitors can advise and represent you in High Court proceedings under the Hague Convention 1980 or Wardship proceedings under the Inherent Jurisdiction to seek to find your child and bring them back.
How Can I Fund A Child Abduction Case?
We offer competitive prices for our work at affordable rates. See our funding guide to find out more.
In certain circumstances, you may be eligible for Legal Aid, and we can advise you further on your funding position.
How Long Do Child Abduction Cases Take To Resolve?
Child abduction cases can take a varying amount of times depending on the circumstance. Court proceedings can be issued urgently to start the process and see if a resolution can be solved immediately.
However, it can take a few months to fully close the case. We help all circumstances of child abduction and assess each case individually.
What If The Other Parent Has Taken Their Child Abroad Without Consent?
If a child is under 16, they should have permission from the person with parental responsibility or what is within the childcare agreements to take the child abroad. Despite being a parent, you can still be accused of child abduction if you don’t get the necessary permissions for your child to leave the country with you.
If the other parent has taken your child, you can issue urgent court proceedings to rectify with the help of a solicitor.
What If I Have Been Accused Of Child Abduction As A Parent?
If you are being accused of child abduction by your ex-partner, we can help you.
We have assisted many parents in similar circumstances and can advise you on how to defend the application for your child’s return.
Whatever your circumstances, seeking the right legal advice without delay is essential.
How Can A Solicitor Help Me Relocate My Child?
Relocating a child to live abroad can be legally complex and fraught with emotions for both parents.
There are many reasons you may be considering relocating with your child: a relationship breakdown, returning ‘home’ to family support, a new partner, or career.
Over the years, we have helped many parents in a similar position to negotiate an agreement with the other parent or, where agreement cannot be reached, to seek ‘leave to remove’ from the Court.
If your ex-partner is considering relocating your child, they cannot do so without your express consent.
Our child abduction lawyers represent many parents seeking to resist their child relocating and offer robust representation to defend any application and to keep your child in England & Wales.
Whatever your circumstances, securing specialist legal advice as soon as possible can greatly increase your chances of the successful outcome you want.
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