Two months ago, my 10-year-old daughter went to visit her father in Israel for a month but hasn’t returned since. I am negotiating her return to the UK where we live, with her father, but so far, without success. I would like to avoid legal proceedings, for my daughter’s sake, and did not file Hague Convention proceedings. Am I acting correctly?
By: דיאנה שאלתיאל•Published on: 06 March, 2025No! your attempt to negotiate a voluntary return of your daughter from Israel to the UK is understandable, due to the shock you must have had following the non-return of your minor daughter by her father, as scheduled. You should bear in mind, that you only have 12 months, (from the date your daughter was supposed to return to the UK) to file Hague Convention proceedings in the Israeli court, and that the father may be aware of that, trying to lead you on. We suggest you file and if you reach a voluntary return agreement’ it may be authorized in Court within the Hague Convention file.