Why families choose us

• Rapid action: Same-day advice and applications where needed.

• International expertise: Hague Convention return applications and defences, non-Hague strategies, and cross-border coordination.

• Court-ready: High Court experience with urgent orders, Tipstaff involvement and liaison with authorities.

• Clear, calm guidance: Plain-English advice, practical options, and continuous updates.

• Transparent fees: Fixed-fee entry points and staged pricing where appropriate.

Act now: urgent safeguards

We can help you obtain and coordinate:

• Prohibited Steps Orders to prevent removal from the jurisdiction.

• Passport orders & surrender (including orders to hold a child’s passport).

• Port/airport alerts via police to stop departure.

• Location, collection & Recovery Orders to find and return a child within England & Wales.

• Tipstaff-assisted orders in the High Court for immediate enforcement.

If there is an imminent risk, call 999 and seek legal advice immediately.

International child abduction (Hague & non-Hague)

Hague Convention (1980)
Where a child is taken to or kept in another Convention country without consent, we:

• Issue/defend return applications in the High Court based on habitual residence and wrongful removal/retention.

• Prepare robust evidence and handle timescales (Hague cases aim to be resolved swiftly).

• Address recognised defences (e.g., consent/acquiescence, child objections, grave risk under Art. 13(b), and settlement after one year).

• Coordinate with the UK Central Authority and overseas lawyers where required.

Non-Hague countries
Where the Convention doesn’t apply, we build a bespoke route: wardship/inherent jurisdiction applications, targeted interim protections, and coordinated action with foreign counsel and relevant agencies. We also plan for mirror orders/recognition abroad where appropriate.

Domestic abduction (within England & Wales)

We act urgently to:

• Secure Recovery Orders (Children Act 1989 s.50), Location Orders, and Prohibited Steps Orders.

• Instruct the Tipstaff and liaise with police where ordered by the court.

• Stabilise arrangements through clear Child Arrangements Orders to prevent repeat incidents.

The process at a glance

1. Immediate triage
   Same-day advice; risk assessment; gather key facts and documents (orders, passports, travel plans).

2. Urgent protections
   Apply for appropriate emergency orders and alerts; secure passports where necessary.

3. Proceedings
   Issue Hague/non-Hague or domestic applications; manage evidence and witness statements.

4. Negotiation & undertakings
   Where safe and sensible, explore undertakings and practical return plans to minimise disruption.

5. Hearing & enforcement
   High Court advocacy, implementation of orders, and cross-border coordination for safe return.

6. Aftercare
   Longer-term child arrangements, travel permissions, and measures to reduce future risk.

Fees & ways to start

• Fixed-fee initial consultation: £250 (incl. VAT) with a specialist solicitor

• Free 20-minute telephone call: urgent triage and next steps

• Flexible pricing thereafter: fixed-fee stages where suitable or agreed hourly rates with clear estimates

Book a consultation · +44 (0)330 053 3342