Hague Convention matters

Many children are wrongfully removed from Australia each year. If they are removed to a country that is a party to the Hague Convention on international abduction of children there are effective and quick procedures parents can use to ensure that their children are returned to Australia. The aim is that the children are returned promptly.

The Hague Convention seeks to maintain the status quo. In order to ensure that children are not put in a new unfamiliar environment but rather that they are brought back to where they usually live so that the matter can be dealt with by those Courts.

If children are wrongfully removed to a country not a party to the Hague Convention it is more complicated to have them returned. We are experiencing international child abduction cases.

The following countries have agreed as at January 2010 to be a party to the Hague Convention:

- Austria
- Bahamas
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Belize
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Canada (all Provinces and
Territories except Alberta, Manitoba,
Northwest Territories, Nunavut and
Quebec )
-  Chile
-  China  (but only the Regions of
Hong Kong and Macau )
-  Colombia
-  Costa Rica
-  Croatia
-  Cyprus
-  Czech Republic
-  Denmark
-  Ecuador
-  El Salvador
-  Estonia
-  Fiji
-  Finland
-  France  (the whole of the territory
of the French Republic )
-  Georgia
-  Germany
-  Greece
-  Guatemala
-  Honduras
-  Hungary
-  Iceland
-  Ireland
-  Israel
-  Italy
-  Latvia
-  Lithuania
-  Monaco
-  Netherlands
-  Peru
-  Poland
-  Portugal
-  Romania
-  Saint Kitts and Nevis
-  Serbia
-  Slovakia
-  Slovenia
-  South Africa
-  Spain
-  Sri Lanka
-  Sweden
-  Switzerland
-  Thailand
-  Trinidad and Tobago
-  Turkey
-  Turkmenistan
-  United Kingdom  including
(a) Bailiwick of Jersey
(b) Bermuda
(c) Cayman Islands
(d) Falkland Islands
(e) Isle of Man
(f) Montserrat
-  United States of America
-  Uruguay
-  Uzbekistan
-  Venezuela
-  Zimbabwe




Where to now?
Speak to a family lawyer

Often the best way to get the answers you need is to speak to an expert. Click here to contact us via our contact forms or please call us on 1300 355 641.


Attend a seminar

If you would like to book to attend one of our FREE family law information seminars please click here. Alternatively to find out more about the seminars click here.


Organise an initial consultation

A face-to-face consultation gives you the opportunity to discuss your family law issue with professionals who deal with and resolve these issues on a daily basis.

It gives you a chance to ask any questions you may have and us to gain background and provide an insight into the options available to you.
For more information please call us on 1300 355 641 or send as an e-mail at familylaw@hflawyers.com.au. We are here to help.

Contact Details