Application of rules on child abduction of Brussels IIbis Regulation and 1980 Hague Convention in the courts of LatviaAgris SkudraRepresentative from the Latvian Central Authority for International Child Abduction

conference Jurisdiction and recognition and enforcement of judgements in cross-border matrimonial matters, July 9-10, 2009, Riga

LEGAL REGULATIONSUN Convention on the Rights of the Children of November 20, 1989; 1980 Hague Convention;1996 Hague Convention;Brussels IIbis Regulation;Civil Law;Civil Procedure Law;Regulations of the Cabinet of Minister No. 322 of May 15, 2007.

INSTITUTIONSMinistry of Justice(Central Authority since July 1, 2009)City/district courts and regional courts(35 city/district courts, 6 regional courts)Orphans Courts(In 2008 510)State Police

BASIC PRINCIPLESChilds interests;Childs habitual place of residence;Other countrys law is respected;Quick, effective mechanisms;Successful cooperation;Effective enforcement of the decision.

Preconditions for the childs return Concept of the habitual place of residence: definition;ECJ judgement of 02.04.2009. in the case No. C-523/07, Korkein hallinto - oikeus; courts practice.Detecting unlawfulness:applicable law;courts practice.

PRINCIPLES OF NON-RETURNChild has been settled in the new environment;Risk of physical or psychological harm;Childs objections;Person has not used his/her rights, has agreed to childs removal/retention;Recipient countrys basic principles regarding the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

STATISTICS

Chart1

30

51

114

42

178

120

FROM Latvia

TO Latvia

CHILD ABDUCTION CASES

Sheet1

NO Latvijas aizvestieUZ Latviju atvestie

2004

Janvris1. Bfs () GBR

Februris

Marts

Aprlis

Maijs

Jnijs

Jlijs

Augusts

Septembris

Oktobris

Novembris1. Jaseavski () GER

Decembris1. Uvarovs (1997) GER

2005

Janvris1. amans (2000) GBR

Februris

Marts

Aprlis

Maijs

Jnijs

Jlijs1. Greidns (1999) IRL

Augusts

Septembris1. Bulatkins (2001) FRA2. ikonovs (1996) ESP

Oktobris1. Raksti (1994) GBR1. Goldrins (2004) IZR

Novembris

Decembris

2006

Janvris1. Liepi (1996) IRL1. Barstads (2001) NOR

Februris

Marts1. Levenkova (2002) TUR2. ukovs (2003) IRL

Aprlis1. Masjule (2001) GBR2. Dukure (2000) GBR

Maijs1. Dria (1997) FIN

Jnijs

Jlijs1. Gributs (2000) IRL

Augusts1. Ribakova (1998) IRL

Septembris1. ikute (2003) IRL

Oktobris1. Komorovskis (1999) GBR2. Petrovs (2001) IRL

Novembris1. Brzi (2002) GBR

Decembris1. Sutkalne (2002) GBR1. D'Agostino (2004) ITA

2007

Janvris1. Campanella (2002) ITA

Februris1. Dagovis () TR

Marts

Aprlis

Maijs

Jnijs

Jlijs

Augusts

Septembris

Oktobris1. Neimanis (2004) SWE

Novembris

Decembris1. Brikena (2001) ASV2. Burve (1997) SWE3. ulca (2000) GBR

2008

Janvris

Februris1.Bogdanovas () SWE1. Mahmouda (2006) GBR2. Bermane (2003) EST

Marts1. Luns (2001) IRL2. Brders (2002) IRL1. Brauns (2006) GBR

Aprlis1. Gtmane (2001) IRL1. Peterson (2007) GBR

Maijs1. Zarne (2002) IRL1. Gleks (2004) GER

Jnijs1. Slti (2002) IRL2. Kolomejeva (2003) GBR

Jlijs1. Krauklis (2001) IRL2. Hadkevica (2000) POL3. Lapke (2001) GER4. Stepane (1995) GBR

Augusts1. Dombrovska (2002) IRL1. bergs (2004) SWE

Septembris1. Soubbotina (2002) GER2. Silicka (2002) IRL3. Gavars (1996) IRL1. damsone (2005) AUSTR

Oktobris1. Flaks (1997) IRL1. Kudelka (2003) AUSTRIJA

Novembris1.Daiicki (1995; 1999) GER

Decembris

FROM LatviaTO Latvia

200430

200551

2006114

200742

2008178

2009120

KOP:5215

TOFROM

Ireland16UK4

UK10Italy2

Germany5Sweden2

Sweden2Ireland1

Spain1Norway1

Turkey1Israel1

Finland1Estonia1

China1Germany1

France1Austria1

USA1Australia1

Poland1

Sheet1

FROM Latvia

TO Latvia

CHILD ABDUCTION CASES

Sheet2

Sheet3

OUTCOMESFROM Latvia:

Return 18Non-return 6Withdrawals 14Continuing 14

From these: 6 Section 771. of CPL

Total: 52

TO Latvia:

Voluntarily 1Return 6Non-return 4Withdrawals 4

Total: 15

COMMON FEATURESDisagreement among parents;Childs abductors interests vs. childs interests;Role of relatives;Role of mass media;Lack of legal consciousness;I know I will lose.

Cases in the Courts of Latvia ISection 771 of Civil Procedure Law Article 15 of Hague Convention;6 weeks rule;National Law vs. International;Role of Orphans Courts;Lack of direct communication among judges;Training.

Cases in the Courts of Latvia IIDetecting of unlawfulness;Article13 of Hague Convention the most considered and applied grounds for non-return;Consequences after the application of Article 13 of Hague Convention;Article 20 of Hague Convention;Formulation of decision.

Thank you!Questions?Comments?

Application of rules on child abduction of Brussels IIbis Regulation and 1980 Hague Convention in the courts of LatviaAgris SkudraRepresentative from the Latvian Central Authority for International Child Abduction

conference Jurisdiction and recognition and enforcement of judgements in cross-border matrimonial matters, July 9-10, 2009, Riga