No. Under UK immigration law:
–UK Border Force cannot enforce Family Court orders
-Border Force does not routinely conduct outbound embarkation checks
-Border Force cannot restrict the movement of lawful residents
-Enforcement of child arrangements orders and prohibited steps orders falls outside Border Force’s legal remit
As a result, contacting border authorities alone is unlikely to prevent the unlawful removal of a child.
Who Enforces Family Court Orders in England and Wales?
Effective enforcement of Family Court orders relating to child abduction, prohibited steps orders, and unlawful child removal must be pursued through the following authorities:
The Police
The police have the power to:
-Investigate potential offences under the Child Abduction Act 1984
-Address contempt of court
-Place alerts on the Police National Computer (PNC)
-Take safeguarding measures when a child is at risk
The Family Court
The Family Court has extensive enforcement powers, including:
–Recovery Orders
–Location Orders
–Passport Seizure Orders
-Orders involving the Tipstaff, who has authority to locate and recover a child
International Child Abduction Proceedings
Where a child has been taken abroad or there is a risk of international removal, enforcement may involve proceedings under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.
Key Legal Advice for Parents
If a parent removes or attempts to remove a child in breach of a Family Court order, immediate legal action is essential.
Relying on border authorities alone is not an effective enforcement strategy.
Prompt involvement of:
-the police, and
-urgent applications to the Family Court
is often necessary to safeguard the child and enforce court orders.
Specialist Advice on International Child Abduction
At J.Preedy Solicitors Ltd, we specialise in:
–International child abduction cases
–Urgent enforcement of Family Court orders
–Cross-border family law disputes
–Emergency court applications and recovery orders
Early legal intervention can be decisive in preventing further unlawful removal and protecting a child’s welfare.
If you require urgent advice regarding a Family Court order or child abduction concern, please contact our team today.
J.Preedy Solicitors Ltd
Tel: 0208 545 7700
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