Re L (Abduction: Pending Criminal Proceedings): FD 1999

In a child abduction case, the court considered whether a child was settled within the UK if his whereabouts had been hidden: ‘The mother might or might not have demonstrated that the children were now settled in their new environment. The proposition is harder to demonstrate than at first appears. In Re S (A Minor) (Abduction) [1992] 2 FLR 1, 24C, Purchas LJ described what was required as a long-term settled position; and in Re N (Minors) (Abduction) [1991] 1 FLR 413, 418C, Bracewell J observed that the position had to be as permanent as anything in life could be said to be permanent. Whether a Danish mother who has been present with the children in England for a year only because it has been a good hiding-place and who faces likely extradition proceedings could demonstrate the children’s settlement in England within the meaning of those authorities is doubtful.’

Judges:

Wilson J

Citations:

[1999] 1 FLR 433

Citing:

CitedRe S (A Minor) (Abduction) CA 1991
The court considered what would constitute a child being ‘settled’ under the 1985 Act: ‘I now turn to the last matter, which is art. 12, as to whether in these circumstances it has been demonstrated that Katharine in now settled in her new . .
CitedRe N (Minors) (Abduction) FD 2-Jan-1991
The court considered the degree of settlement that had to be proved under the Act: ‘The second question which has arisen is: what is the degree of settlement which has to be demonstrated? There is some force, I find, in the argument that legal . .

Cited by:

CitedCannon v Cannon CA 19-Oct-2004
The mother had brought the child to the UK wrongfully. She had hidden their identity for more than a year. Upon discovering her, the father came to England and began proceedings for the child’s return to the US.
Held: Because the child’s . .
CitedRe H (Abduction: Child of Sixteen) FD 2000
The court considered the position as to whether a child was to be deemed to be settled after having been within the UK for a period of more than one year: ‘It is the case, looking at the relative dates, that these proceedings were commenced after . .
Lists of cited by and citing cases may be incomplete.

Children

Updated: 16 May 2022; Ref: scu.219128