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Avellum Successful in Ukraine Supreme Court in Case About the Return of Wrongfully Retained Child

Avellum Successful in Ukraine Supreme Court in Case About the Return of Wrongfully Retained Child

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Avellum has successfully represented a UK citizen in Ukraine's Supreme Court in a dispute regarding the return of a wrongfully retained child.

The Ukrainian Supreme Court provided the first-ever clarification on the procedure for dispute resolution related to international child abduction, the application of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction of 25 October 1980, and the interpretation of criteria for refusing to return a child to his or her state of permanent residence.

According to Avellum, “the judgment of the Supreme Court will bring a new approach to dispute resolution related to international child abduction and will become judicial precedent in Ukraine.”

The Ministry of Justice of Ukraine first filed a claim in early 2013, and since that time the case has bounced repeatedly between Ukrainian courts of all instances, including the country's Supreme Court.

Avellum filed a cassation appeal and a request seeking the renewal of the term of cassation appeal on behalf of its client with the High Specialized Court for Civil and Criminal Cases in early 2017. However, due to the country's ongoing process of judicial reform, the Supreme Court did not make its final decision until late August 2018.

When it did, according to Avellum, "the Supreme Court ... rightfully held that the primary focus of the above 1980 Convention is that one parent or family member cannot independently decide to change the child’s place of permanent residence. The Court also noted that the child’s place of permanent residence is of major importance in restoring the status quo, since the illegal removal or retention of the child violates the child’s rights and interests, as well as the right (custody right) of the parent without whose consent the child was taken from the country of habitual residence."

Finally, according to Avellum, the Supreme Court also emphasized that when considering the issue of returning a child to the home state, it does not address or decide which person will have custody rights, which instead falls within the jurisdiction of competent authorities of the child’s country of permanent residence.

Avellum’s team was led by Associate Oleksandr Gubin, working under the supervision of Partner Iryna Moroz.

Ukraine Knowledge Partner

AVELLUM is a leading Ukrainian full service law firm with a key focus on Finance, Corporate, Dispute Resolution, Tax, and Antitrust.

Our aim is to be the firm of choice for large businesses and financial institutions in respect of their most important and challenging transactions.

We build lasting relationships with our clients and make them feel secure in new uncertain economic and legal realities.

We incorporate the most advanced Western legal techniques and practices into our work. By adding our first-hand knowledge, broad industry experience, and unparalleled level of service we deliver the best results to our clients in their business endeavours. Our partners are taking an active role in every transaction and ensure smooth teamwork.

AVELLUM is recognised as one of the leading law firms in Ukraine by various international and Ukrainian legal editions (Chambers, The Legal500, IFLR1000, The Ukrainian Law Firms, and others).

Firm's website: www.avellum.com

 

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