What's Inside This Guide?
Our international mediation guide covers:
- Hague Convention basics International child protection agreements
- Remote mediation How mediation works across borders and time zones
- Jurisdiction issues Which country's laws apply to your case
- Travel consent and passports Preventing international child abduction
- Enforcing agreements internationally Mirror orders and reciprocal enforcement
The Hague Convention on Child Abduction
The Hague Convention (1980) is an international agreement designed to prevent child abduction by a parent across borders. If a child is wrongfully removed to another country, the Convention requires the child to be returned to their habitual residence.
The UK is a signatory, as are over 100 countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, and most EU nations. If you're concerned about international abduction, legal protections exist.
- Designed to prevent parental child abduction
- Applies to over 100 countries worldwide
- Requires wrongfully removed children to be returned
- Based on child's 'habitual residence' before removal
- Separate from which country decides custody
How Remote Mediation Works
If one parent lives abroad, mediation can still work - it just happens online via secure video call. You'll each attend from your own country, and the mediator helps you navigate both the practical arrangements and the legal complexities.
Time zones can be challenging, but mediators will work to find times that suit both parties. Sessions can be shorter and more frequent to accommodate this.