The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty designed to address the wrongful removal or retention of children across international borders.
Adopted in 1980, the Convention seeks to protect children from the harmful effects of international abduction by ensuring the prompt return of children to their country of habitual residence.
When a child is wrongfully taken from one member country to another, the treaty allows a parent to file a legal petition requesting the return of the child to the child’s country of habitual residence.
The purpose of the Hague Convention is not to determine custody. Instead, the treaty focuses on determining the appropriate jurisdiction where the custody dispute should be decided.
International child abduction cases are complex and often involve multiple legal systems, urgent court proceedings, and coordination between lawyers in different countries.
International Family Lawyer New York | Hague Convention & UCCJEA Attorney | Elena Giannattasio