Many countries are signatories to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of Child Abduction1; and the treaty has been ratified between these countries. When this is the case, a child wrongfully removed from his or her country of habitual residence may be subject to proceedings to return proceedings, generally brought in the country where they have been taken. However, while there are always circumstances relevant to removal, a few constitute legal, affirmative defenses that will allow the judicial or administrative authority to not be bound to order return. These are the focus of this blog and are highly fact sensitive ... Read More