Publication of the Guide to Good Practice under the Child Abduction Convention: Part IV - Enforcement

It is with great pleasure that the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law announces the publication of Part IV of the Guide to Good Practice under the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction - Enforcement. 

This Guide is based upon the principles of good practice presented to, and supported by, the Fifth Meeting of the Special Commission to review the operation of the Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and the Hague Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (30 October - 9 November 2006).  The Guide has been prepared according to the Conclusions and Recommendations of the Special Commission meeting.

The Permanent Bureau hopes that this Guide will assist all States, i.e., States Parties and those States considering becoming Party to the Convention, to implement an efficient system to enforce Hague return orders in the best interests of the children concerned.

A copy of this Guide will be sent to all National Organs, Central Authorities designated under the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention and the International Hague Network Judges forthwith.  The Guide is also available to the public to download on this website (click on "Specialised sections", then "Child Abduction Section", then "Guides to Good Practice").

The Guide is currently available in English and French.  A Spanish version is being prepared and will be published in due course.  It will be available on this website when published.