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Child abduction

Child Abduction: What to Do

If you are worried that your child might be taken abroad without your consent or you are trying to get your child back, follow these steps: 

  1. Get Urgent Legal Advice: This is a complex area of law, so seek legal help immediately. 

  1. Court Orders: You may need to ask the Jersey Court for orders under the Children (Jersey) Law 2002 or seek a non-removal injunction. 

  1. Contact the Police: If the threat is imminent, contact the police. Child abduction is a criminal offence under the Criminal Law (Child Abduction) (Jersey) Law 2005. 

Legal Aid 

  • You may be eligible for legal aid. Contact the Acting Bâtonnier at 0845 8001066 to check. 

Relevant Laws and Conventions 

  1. Child Custody (Jurisdiction) (Jersey) Law 2005: This law helps enforce custody orders between Jersey and the UK. 

  1. Hague Convention: Jersey is part of this international agreement to return children wrongfully taken to other countries. The Attorney General's office handles these cases. Contact them at +44 (0) 1534 441200. 

  1. European Convention: This applies to children under 16 taken from Jersey in breach of custody decisions. It works on mutual recognition and enforcement of orders. Contact the Attorney General's office for help. 

If Your Child is Taken to a Non-Hague Country 

  • Contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s Consular Directorate at +44 (0)20 7008 0878 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday) or +44 (0)20 7008 1500 (outside these hours). They can provide a list of lawyers in that country. 

Other Useful Contacts