Return Orders and Enforcement Regional Conference on the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Belgrade, Serbia 3-4 February 2011 Philippe Lortie, First Secretary Hague Conference on Private International Law The enforcement of return orders Guide to Good Practice Part IV Available at:Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Slide 3 Drafting a return order in a manner which promotes efficient enforcement Enforcement of return orders Co-operation in the enforcement context Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Slide 4 Drafting a return order in a manner which promotes efficient enforcement General principle: immediate return of the child (Para. 4.1) Detailed and specific return order (Para. 4.2) The practical arrangements to be incorporated in the return order (Para. 4.3) Hierarchical scale of different options (Para. 4.4) Questions concerning the childs travel documents (Para. 4.5) Provisional laissez-passer for one-time use (Para. 4.6) Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Slide 5 Quality of the drafting (habitual residence) In particular, it is important to specify in which State the child is considered to be habitually resident Specify the practical details of the return or delivery of the child -How, when and by whom should the return be made? And who will bear the costs? -Where should the child be returned to (specify exact location?), and and into whose care? -Failing voluntary compliance, which coercive measures may be applied? Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Drafting a return order in a manner which promotes efficient enforcement Slide 6 Ensure the order is adapted to the circumstances of each case - location and situation of the child Prevention of risks regarding: - the movement of the child after the decision has been taken - injury or danger to the child or to one of the parents - a request to reconsider the decision at the enforcement stage - an aggravation of the conflict by the parents coming in contacts - the ineffectiveness of coercive measures Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Drafting a return order in a manner which promotes efficient enforcement Slide 7 Drafting a return order to in a manner which promotes efficient enforcement Enforcement of return orders Co-operation in the enforcement context Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Slide 8 Enforcement of return orders 2. Legal challenges available against return orders or against their enforcement 3. The effect of legal challenges on the enforceability of return orders 5. Promoting voluntary compliance 6. The child Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Slide 9 2. Legal challenges available against return orders or against their enforcement Concentrate jurisdiction in relation to enforcement (Para. 2.1) Limit the grounds (Para. 2.4) and number of legal challenges available (Para. 2.3) Introduce strict deadlines for filing an appeal and strict procedures (Para. 2.3) Consider a requirement of leave to appeal (Para. 2.5) Limit or avoid challenges allowed against specific enforcement measures (Para. 2.8) Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Slide The effect of legal challenges on the enforceability of return orders Reaching expeditious final decisions which are no longer subject to ordinary legal challenge (Para. 3.1) Considering an immediate or provisional enforceability of a return order (Para. 3.2) Question an application to reopen a case (Para. 3.3) Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Slide Promoting voluntary compliance Consider the possibility of a voluntary settlement throughout the proceedings (Para. 5.1) Also consider the possibility of a voluntary settlement at the enforcement stage (Para. 5.2) Assistance of professionals from psycho- social professions etc. (Para. 5.3) Effective mechanism should be available to ensure the enforceability of agreements reached (Para. 5.4) Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Slide The Child The wishes and feelings of the child should be explored (Para. 6.1) The child should be kept fully informed about enforcement proceedings (Para. 6.2) Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Slide 13 Drafting a return order to in a manner which promotes efficient enforcement Enforcement of return orders Co-operation in the enforcement context Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Slide 14 Co-operation and enforcement 7. Co-operation among courts, authorities and other actors within the requested State 8. Cross-border co-operation to ensure safe return 9. Training and education Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Slide Co-operation among courts, authorities and other actors within the requested State Exercise supervision over the process of implementation (Para. 7.1) Provide comprehensive information should be provided to enforcement officers (Para. 7.2) Consider the involvement of other professionals in the preparation of enforcement and / or at the actual scene of enforcement (Paras. 7.3 to 7.5) Consider the presence of the applicant at the actual scene of enforcement (Para. 7.6) Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Slide Cross-border co-operation to ensure safe return Courts and Central Authorities should communicate on the protective measures and services available to assist the safe return of the child (Para. 8.1) Use should be made of national, regional and international judicial networks and liaison judges (Para. 8.2) Role of the requesting State as regard a safe return order (Para. 8.3) Authorities of the requesting and requested State should communicate with each other as much as possible to make the necessary arrangements for a safe return (Para. 8.4) Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Slide Training and education The professionals responsible for enforcing a return order should receive appropriate training (Para. 9.1) Awareness regarding the role of other relevant professionals (for example, social workers, psychologists, interpreters) (Para. 9.2) Awareness of the objects of the Convention (Para. 9.3) Awareness and preparation for possible public pressure (Para. 9.4) Develop practice guidelines in your courts (Para. 9.6) Confrence de La Haye de droit international priv | Hague Conference on Private International Law Questions Permanent Bureau Hague Conference on Private International Law Scheveningseweg KT La Haye Pays-Bas Tel: +31 (70) or Fax: +31 (70) Website: