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Child Protection and Family Justice

Mediation in international parental child abduction

Mon, 7 March 2005

Reunite International Child Abduction Centre recently reported on a Nuffield-funded project on international parental child abduction. The objectives of the project were to establish how mediation could work in legal conformity with the principles of the Hague Convention; to develop a mediation structure that would fit in practically with the procedural structure of an English Hague Convention case; and to test whether such a model would be effective in practice.

Although the practical trials are not yet complete, the results from the 11 cases which have proceeded to mediation are positive and 6 of the cases have resulted in a Memorandum of Understanding. On each occasion this was drawn up into a Court Order, with no need for further litigation.

Practical trials will continue until December. Reunite will then disseminate a full report, including methodology, outcomes, evaluation, conclusions and recommendations for the future.

Last Updated Mon, 7 March 2005