The international relocation debate

Abstract

International relocation has fast become a topic of international debate. This article suggests reasons why that may be the case, and then turns to some recent developments in this debate. It discusses the judicial conference on international relocation in Washington, DC in March 2010 and the Sixth Meeting of the Special Commission of the Hague Conference on Private International Law in January 2012, and suggests that it is unlikely that we will establish a unified international approach to international relocation disputes in the near future.

Keywords:

• international relocation
• best interests of child
• Washington Declaration
• Hague Conference on Private International Law

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Victoria Miller, Lawyer to the Head of International Family Justice, Lord Justice Thorpe, who attended the Hague Conference in January 2012 and provided an invaluable report of proceedings. Any errors are the author's responsibility alone.