Parent Child Abduction.
Dealing with an urgent parental child abduction or imminent risk of removal? Our expert team is here to launch emergency court proceedings and bring your child home safely.
Discovering that your child has been taken abroad, or has not been returned home as agreed, can be terrifying.
In some cases, parental child abduction may be a deliberate step during a dispute between parents. In others, a parent may wrongly believe they are entitled to relocate with the child. Whatever the circumstances, it is vital to act quickly and get clear advice on the steps available to protect your child.
At Lanyon Bowdler, our specialist family law solicitors understand how distressing and fast-moving these situations can be. We will listen carefully, explain your options clearly, and help you take urgent and decisive action where a child has been wrongfully removed, retained overseas, or where you are worried this may happen. We can also advise parents who have been accused of wrongful removal or retention and need to understand their legal position.
Our family law team is recognised by The Legal 500 and Chambers UK for its expertise in family and child law matters, including cases involving serious welfare concerns and cross-border issues. With a calm, sensitive and proactive approach, we will support you through each stage and work to protect your child’s welfare as the highest priority.
If your child has been taken abroad without consent, has not been returned, or you are concerned about the risk of parental abduction, contact Lanyon Bowdler’s Parental Abduction Lawyers immediately.
Child abduction is the legal term used when a child is taken or kept away from their usual country of residence without the consent of both parents, or the permission of the court. Factors such as cheap international travel and increased international migration have led to an increase in child abduction in recent years on the break-down of trans-national relationships.
It is considered to be a form of child abuse and is a violation of the child’s rights. The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction has been signed by many countries to acknowledge the significance of this issue, and to make the process of returning a child more straightforward.
If the country to which your child is taken has not signed up to the Hague Convention, we will advise and support you through that process. The Child Abduction Act 1984 makes child abduction a criminal offence, regardless of the country to which the child is taken.
An experienced, accomplished lawyer will be by your side throughout the process, providing a consistent point of contact to give you peace of mind. We are proud of our reputation for friendly and approachable service, in addition to our legal expertise.
Our team has vast experience in all areas of child and family law, which has been recognised throughout the industry. The 2026 edition of the Legal 500 directory notes that: “…under the direction of ‘exceptional’ Sue Hodgson, an expert in complex child-related disputes, including cases with cross-border, safeguarding, and criminal aspects” Furthermore, we are ranked in Band 2 for the West Midlands in the 2026 edition of Chambers UK, which describes the way we support clients in “complex Children Act matters involving allegations of criminal behaviour and domestic abuse.”
One of our clients, quoted in an edition of the Chambers UK directory, described how they “feel supported all the time and like I am truly their sole interest”. In cases involving children, it is vital you get advice from someone who is compassionate and understanding, as well as highly skilled and knowledgeable in the law.
We have signed the Armed Forces Covenant, not only in recognition of the incredible work done by current and former military personnel, but also as a sign of our commitment to fully understanding our clients. Members, or former members, of the military are one group whose international lifestyle may leave them vulnerable to child abduction on the breakdown of a relationship. No matter what your background or circumstances, we are here to support you.
For child abduction to be proven:
To show that a country is a child’s “usual country of residence”, it is important to show they are part of social and/or family networks in that country. An example of this might be where the child goes to school. Where families live in more than one country (if the parents have jobs requiring a lot of travel, for example), it can be difficult to determine the child’s “usual country of residence”. .
If child abduction has taken place, urgent proceedings should be started. Time is of the essence in these cases, so please contact us immediately for expert advice.
If you suspect your partner may be considering removing your child from their usual country of residence, it is important that you act quickly and decisively. It is far easier to prevent child removal/relocation than it is to go through the legal process to have a child returned.
A prohibited steps order can be issued by a court, which prevents the child’s other parent taking them out of the country without your consent. The court can also order that a child’s passport be surrendered.
Other practical steps you could take to prevent your child being taken overseas are:
Contact the passport agency to request that they do not issue a new passport to your child.
Notify the police and border authorities that you fear your child might be abducted.
Yes, many parents are surprised to learn that they can be accused of child abduction, even if they have parental responsibility. The law is clear: if one parent takes a child abroad without the other parent’s permission, and both have parental responsibility, this is considered wrongful removal and may legally amount to child abduction.
Similarly, if you take a child abroad with permission but fail to return them at the agreed time—known as wrongful retention—this too can be treated as abduction under international law.
If you’re planning travel or relocation with your child and are unsure of your legal rights, it’s vital to seek advice in advance. We can help you understand your position, obtain the necessary consent, and avoid serious legal complications.
If you’re facing an accusation of child abduction, it’s crucial to stay calm and seek immediate legal advice from a specialist family solicitor. Allegations of this kind can be distressing, but with the right guidance, you can respond effectively and protect your position.
Our team will assess the situation quickly, advise you on the legal validity of the claim, and explore any defences that may apply. Whether the issue involves wrongful removal or retention, we will support you through every step, ensuring that your case is handled with urgency, care and expertise.
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There are a number of possible options, depending on the circumstances. The best approach is to take precautions before your child is taken from the UK.
If your partner, or former partner, is intending to take your child on a trip abroad, it is vital to show that you are not consenting to their removal from the UK. Steps you can take to prove this include:
Confirming in writing that you consent to the child travelling for a holiday, but not to them relocating to another country. You should make clear in this communication the date you expect the child to return.
Taking a copy of the child’s passport and ensuring you have their original birth certificate.
Confirming the details of the flight (or other travel arrangements), as well as the accommodation for the trip.
If your child is already overseas, it might be advisable, depending on the circumstances, to take legal action both in England or Wales, and the country to which the child has been taken. We will always carefully consider all the factors in your case to determine whether dual legal proceedings are the correct approach.
Give us a call for a friendly, confidential, chat about how we can help support you when you or your family need legal advice and representation. Contact a member of the team or complete our online enquiry form.
By choosing Lanyon Bowdler for child law legal advice, you can rest assured that you have the best legal expertise on hand no matter what the situation. Our Child Custody Lawyers are committed to providing exceptional levels of client care and will work closely and considerately with you to help find the best outcomes. Our Family Law team has great experience in all areas of family law and family mediation.
We have offices in Shrewsbury, Bromyard, Conwy, Hereford, Ludlow, Oswestry and Telford, regularly acting on behalf of clients across Shropshire, Herefordshire, Mid and North Wales and throughout the Midlands. Our expertise makes us the ideal choice for Child Abduction Lawyers in Birmingham, Wolverhampton, and Worcester.
As a leading full-service law firm in Wales, we can represent you wherever you live in England or Wales, so don’t hesitate to take advice from the family law experts.
If you or a loved one needs legal advice or representation then please give us a call for a friendly, confidential chat about how we can help support you. Contact a member of the team on the phone or by completing the online enquiry form.
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