Search Legislation

Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985

Changes to legislation:

Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 is up to date with all changes known to be in force on or before 29 March 2024. There are changes that may be brought into force at a future date. Help about Changes to Legislation

Close

Changes to Legislation

Revised legislation carried on this site may not be fully up to date. Changes and effects are recorded by our editorial team in lists which can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area. Where those effects have yet to be applied to the text of the legislation by the editorial team they are also listed alongside the affected provisions when you open the content using the Table of Contents below.

View outstanding changes

Changes and effects yet to be applied to :

Changes and effects yet to be applied to the whole Act associated Parts and Chapters:

Whole provisions yet to be inserted into this Act (including any effects on those provisions):

  1. Introductory Text

  2. Part I International Child Abduction

    1. 1. The Hague Convention.

    2. 2. Contracting States.

    3. 3. Central Authorities.

    4. 4. Judicial authorities.

    5. 5. Interim powers.

    6. 6.A compulsory supervision order (as defined in section 83 of...

    7. 7. Proof of documents and evidence.

    8. 8. Declarations by United Kingdom courts.

    9. 9. Suspension of court’s powers in cases of wrongful removal.

    10. 10. Rules of court.

    11. 11. Cost of applications.

  3. Part II Recognition and Enforcement of Custody Decisions

    1. 12. The European Convention.

    2. 13. Contracting States.

    3. 14. Central Authorities.

    4. 15. Recognition of decisions.

    5. 16. Registration of decisions.

    6. 17. Variation and revocation of registered decisions.

    7. 18. Enforcement of decisions.

    8. 19. Interim powers.

    9. 20. Suspension of court’s powers.

    10. 21. Reports.

    11. 22. Proof of documents and evidence.

    12. 23. Decisions of United Kingdom courts.

    13. 24. Rules of court.

    14. 24A. Power to order disclosure of child’s whereabouts.

  4. Part III Supplementary

    1. 25. Termination of existing custody orders, etc.

    2. 26. Expenses.

    3. 27. Interpretation.

    4. 28. Application as respects British Islands and colonies.

    5. 29. Short title, commencement and extent.

  5. SCHEDULES

    1. SCHEDULE 1

      Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction

      1. Chapter I—Scope of the Convention

        1. Article 3

          1. The removal or the retention of a child is to...

        2. Article 4

          1. The Convention shall apply to any child who was habitually...

        3. Article 5

          1. For the purposes of this Convention— (a) “rights of custody”...

      2. Chapter II—Central Authorities

        1. Article 7

          1. Central Authorities shall co-operate with each other and promote co-operation...

          2. In particular, either directly or through any intermediary, they shall...

      3. Chapter III—Return of Children

        1. Article 8

          1. Any person, institution or other body claiming that a child...

          2. The application shall contain— (a) information concerning the identity of...

        2. Article 9

          1. If the Central Authority which receives an application referred to...

        3. Article 10

          1. The Central Authority of the State where the child is...

        4. Article 11

          1. The judicial or administrative authorities of Contracting States shall act...

          2. If the judicial or administrative authority concerned has not reached...

        5. Article 12

          1. Where a child has been wrongfully removed or retained in...

          2. The judicial or administrative authority, even where the proceedings have...

          3. Where the judicial or administrative authority in the requested state...

        6. Article 13

          1. Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding Article, the judicial or...

          2. In considering the circumstances referred to in this Article, the...

        7. Article 14

          1. In ascertaining whether there has been a wrongful removal or...

        8. Article 15

          1. The judicial or administrative authorities of a Contracting State may,...

        9. Article 16

          1. After receiving notice of a wrongful removal or retention of...

        10. Article 17

          1. The sole fact that a decision relating to custody has...

        11. Article 18

          1. The provisions of this Chapter do not limit the power...

        12. Article 19

          1. A decision under this Convention concerning the return of the...

      4. Chapter IV—Rights of Access

        1. Article 21

          1. An application to make arrangements for organising or securing the...

          2. The Central Authorities are bound by the obligations of co-operation...

      5. Chapter V—General Provisions

        1. Article 22

          1. No security, bond or deposit, however described, shall be required...

        2. Article 24

          1. Any application, communication or other document sent to the Central...

        3. Article 26

          1. Each Central Authority shall bear its own costs in applying...

          2. Central Authorities and other public services of Contracting States shall...

          3. However, a Contracting State may, by making a reservation in...

          4. Upon ordering the return of a child or issuing an...

        4. Article 27

          1. When it is manifest that the requirements of this Convention...

        5. Article 28

          1. A Central Authority may require that the application be accompanied...

        6. Article 29

          1. This Convention shall not preclude any person, institution or body...

        7. Article 30

          1. Any application submitted to the Central Authorities or directly to...

        8. Article 31

          1. In relation to a State which in matters of custody...

        9. Article 32

          1. In relation to a State which in matters of custody...

    2. SCHEDULE 2

      European Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions Concerning Custody of Children

      1. Article 1

        1. For the purposes of this Convention: (a) “child” means a...

      2. Article 4

        1. (1) Any person who has obtained in a Contracting State...

      3. Article 5

        1. (1) The central authority in the State addressed shall take...

      4. Article 7

        1. A decision relating to custody given in a Contracting State...

      5. Article 9

        1. (1) [Recognition and enforcement may be refused] if:

      6. Article 10

        1. (1) [Recognition and enforcement may also be refused] on any...

      7. Article 11

        1. (1) Decisions on rights of access and provisions of decisions...

      8. Article 12

        1. Where, at the time of the removal of a child...

      9. Article 13

        1. (1) A request for recognition or enforcement in another Contracting...

      10. Article 15

        1. (1) Before reaching a decision under paragraph (1)(b) of Article...

      11. Article 26

        1. (1) In relation to a State which has in matters...

    3. SCHEDULE 3

      CUSTODY ORDERS

      1. Part I England and Wales

        1. 1.The following are the orders referred to in section 27(1)...

        2. 2.An order made by the High Court in the exercise...

        3. 3.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        4. 4.An authorisation given by the Secretary of State under section...

      2. Part II Scotland

        1. 5.An order made by a court of civil jurisdiction in...

        2. 5A.The reference in paragraph 5(viii) to a permanence order includes...

        3. 6.A supervision requirement made by a children’s hearing under section...

        4. 7. Scotland

      3. Part III Northern Ireland

        1. 8.The following orders— (a) a care order under the Children...

        2. 9.An order made by the High Court in the exercise...

        3. 10.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

Timeline of Changes

This timeline shows the different points in time where a change occurred. The dates will coincide with the earliest date on which the change (e.g an insertion, a repeal or a substitution) that was applied came into force. The first date in the timeline will usually be the earliest date when the provision came into force. In some cases the first date is 01/02/1991 (or for Northern Ireland legislation 01/01/2006). This date is our basedate. No versions before this date are available. For further information see the Editorial Practice Guide and Glossary under Help.

Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources