International Wardship

Duncan Lewis International Family Law Solicitors - International Wardship

International wardship is used to protect a child from being illegally removed from the UK and taken abroad. When an application for wardship is lodged with the court, the child becomes a ward of court and subject to the protection of the court. The court can make many different orders to protect the child including an order preventing the child being taken abroad.

International wardship can also be used in cases where a child has already been removed unlawfully from the UK and remains abroad.

It is crucial that action is taken quickly in cases involving international child abduction and international wardship as these are areas of law which require special expertise in family and child care law.

How can Duncan Lewis International Family Law Solicitors help?

Our international family law solicitors have recognised expertise in resolving international child abduction and wardship cases and can assist in a number of different situations including:

• Cases where a child has been removed to a country which is a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and to the Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children and Council Regulation (EC) 2201/2003 of 23 November 2003.
• Cases where a child has been removed to a country which is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and not to the convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children and Council Regulation (EC) 2201/2003 of 23 November 2003.
• Cases where a child is at risk of being taken abroad unlawfully by someone who does not have the right to do so.

Once a child becomes a ward of court, our solicitors can ask the court to issue an all-port warning so that border agencies will be aware of the child’s status and can prevent the child from being removed from this country.

We can also arrange for lawyer-supported family mediation in cases where there is dispute between parents over the where and with whom a child should remain, and in cases involving more than one jurisdiction. We can also make referrals to other organisations such as Reunite International.

Why choose Duncan Lewis International Family Law Solicitors?

A number of our solicitors are also members of Resolution, a family law association committed to resolving family disputes and problems fairly and amicably.

Collectively, our staff can speak over 60 languages and our international family solicitors have a network of affiliates overseas, making us well placed to advise on international issues affecting your child in different jurisdictions.

How can I fund my International Wardship case?

Legal aid is available for funding cases involving wardship and child abduction.

A Solicitor will advise further in relation to fees and which payment method is appropriate once a case is assessed.

We advise clients to get in touch as soon as possible in cases involving wardship and international child abduction so that swift action can be taken to prevent a child being taken overseas unlawfully, or to initiate proceedings for the return of a child who has already been unlawfully removed from this country.

Collectively, our staff can speak over 60 languages and our international family solicitors have a network of affiliates overseas, making us well placed to advise on international adoption in different jurisdictions.

In cases involving International Wardship, contact Duncan Lewis International Family Law team in confidence on 033 3772 0409.