UKMy ex took our child abroad without consent. What can I do?
Taking a child abroad without your consent may be child abduction under the Children Act 1989. You can apply urgently to court for a prohibited steps order or return order.
What the Law Says
The Children Act 1989 is the main law governing parental rights and child arrangements in England and Wales. If one parent removes a child from the UK without the other’s consent — and there’s no court order permitting it — this may amount to wrongful removal or retention under domestic and international law.
Section 8 of the Children Act 1989 provides for four types of orders: child arrangements orders, prohibited steps orders, specific issue orders, and contact orders. A prohibited steps order can stop a parent from taking a child abroad. A specific issue order can determine whether a child may be taken overseas.
Importantly, if a child is habitually resident in the UK and is removed without consent of everyone with parental responsibility (or without court permission), it may constitute child abduction — a serious civil and potentially criminal matter.
Even if there’s no formal residence order, both parents with parental responsibility have equal rights — so unilateral removal abroad is unlawful unless agreed or permitted by court.
Statutory TextIn this Part, 'parental responsibility' means all the rights, duties, powers, responsibilities and authority which by law a parent of a child has in relation to the child and his property.
— Children Act 1989, s. 3 — Interpretation
What to Do
Contact the UK’s Child Abduction Section at the National Crime Agency (NCA) immediately — they coordinate with Interpol and foreign authorities.
Apply to the Family Court for an urgent prohibited steps order or a wardship order — use Form C100 and request an emergency hearing.
If the child was taken to a Hague Convention country, file a return application under the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction via the UK Central Authority (Reunite).
Gather evidence: passports, travel bookings, communications showing lack of consent, and proof of your parental responsibility.
Seek legal aid — urgent child abduction cases often qualify for immediate legal representation.
Sources
Not legal advice. This article is general information based on publicly available sources, written for educational purposes. Laws change and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before acting on anything you read here. Last reviewed: 2026-06-08.