Family Law Update

THE CHILD’S WELFARE

When dealing with the resolution of disputes over children the child’s welfare must be the court’s paramount consideration under s 1(1) of the Children Act 1989 (ChA 1989). Section 1(3) provides a welfare checklist to which the court must have regard whenever it is considering a s 8, ChA 1989 order. Of particular relevance is s 1(3)(a), ChA 1989, which stipulates that the court must have regard to the “ascertainable wishes and feelings of the child concerned (in the light of his age and understanding)”.

Consequently, where children are thought to be sufficiently mature, the court must give due weight to their views in a s 8, ChA 1989 application. Historically this approach has been rather different to the approach adopted in cases governed by the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction 1980 (the Hague Convention). What, therefore, is the approach adopted by the Hague Convention?
 

THE REVISED BRUSSELS II

The Revised Brussels II Regulation (Council Regulation