Family

• 1980 Hague Convention applies where child is retained in non-contracting state and then moves to contracting state (Court of Appeal)
  In Re H (Abduction: Retention In Non-Contracting State) [2019] EWCA Civ 672, the Court of Appeal dismissed the mother's appeal of an order for the child's return to Australia under the Hague Convention on civil aspects of international child abduction of 25 October 1980, after the child was wrongfully retained in Uganda (a non-contracting state) and then moved to the UK (a contracting state).
• Regional divorce units criticised after petitions issued within first year of marriage (Family Court)
  In Baron and others (4 Defective Divorces) [2019] EWFC 26, Munby J criticised poor practice at regional divorce units after four divorce petitions were issued within the first year of the respective marriages. He expressed support for the digitalisation of the divorce process which should prevent similar errors occurring in future.
• Brexit, civil justice and private international law: family aspects of European Commission's no-deal questions and answers
  The European Commission has published a list of questions and answers providing further guidance on the legal repercussions of a no-deal Brexit on the EU rules regarding civil justice and private international law. This update looks at the questions and answers relevant to family practitioners.