When a child is wrongfully taken across borders, the 1980 Hague Convention ensures that decisions about their future are made in the country where they usually live. However, the Court must also consider whether returning a child exposes them or their parent to harm. Protective measures such as safeguarding orders, practical reintegration arrangements and financial support play a vital role in ensuring that a return can take place safely.
These measures can be put in place either in the child’s home country or here in England and Wales. Their purpose is straightforward: to shield a child and their parent from risk while meeting the Convention’s requirement for a prompt and lawful return.
This month, liaison judges in England and Wales published a new Judiciary Factsheet on Protective Measures. The document provides a clear summary of the orders and safeguards available in this jurisdiction. With more than 100 signatories to the Hague Convention, this guidance offers an important reference point for courts and practitioners worldwide.
Patrick Sheedy, Director and Head of Child Care at Waldrons Solicitors, has specialist expertise in cross-border child protection and abduction matters. Patrick represents children and parents in complex public and private law proceedings, including High Court cases involving international jurisdiction, domestic abuse and emergency applications.
He is an accredited member of the Law Society’s Children Panel and in 2024 was appointed tothe ICACU Panel, enabling the Child Care Team at Waldrons, led by Patrick to accept referrals directly from the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit. This appointment reflects Patrick’s standing as a trusted practitioner in child abduction law and his experience handling urgent, high-stakes international cases.
“Protective measures aren’t just technical legal tools, they are essential safeguards,” Patrick explains. “They ensure that a child’s return under the Hague Convention happens safely, responsibly and with dignity for the families involved.”
If you are dealing with an international child abduction matter and require specialist guidance, contact Patrick Sheedy at Waldrons Solicitors. His expertise and the team’s ICACU Panel accreditation ensure you receive informed, proactive and trusted support from the outset.
