Moving Children Abroad

Following relationship break down, one parent may want to relocate their children to either another Country or another area of England or Wales. However, children cannot be moved without the agreement of the other parent or permission of the Court.

In the case of removal to another Country (including Scotland or Ireland) a parent will make an application for “Leave to Remove” the child(ren) abroad. In the case of relocation within England and Wales an application will be made for a Specific Issue Order.

Given the significant consequences of either successfully making or defending an application of this type, parents will require highly specialist legal advice. We have considerable experience in this field having successfully represented a number of Applicant and Respondent parents. We have successfully represented many clients in these complex and important applications. Katie Taft represented an applicant mother in her application to remove her child in the leading Court of Appeal case Re F (A Child) [2012] EWCA Civ 1364.

Our specialist knowledge in the field of the International Movement of Children and Child Abduction enables us to advise on not only the prospects of success of each application but also the practical and legal implications of relocation including what happens if Orders are not complied with.