Cross-border child protection cases: the 1996 Hague Convention
How local authorities can deal with international child protection cases.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
This guidance replaced the Placement of looked-after children in EU member states.
Local Authorities should use the 1996 Hague Convention for all international child protection cases including those involving EU countries. The EU Regulation on cross border placement of children (commonly known as Brussels IIa) no longer applies. Your local authority will already use the 1996 Hague Convention for non-EU child protection cases with those countries who have signed up to the Convention. This means that the protection of children across borders will continue after 1 January 2021.
If making an application, use the International child abduction unit: request for co-operation form.
You should seek independent legal advice on existing and new cases.
There is also guidance for legal professionals on family law disputes involving the EU.
Last updated 5 January 2021 + show all updates
-
Updated 'Details' section to clarify how this guidance should be used from 1 January 2021.
-
First published.