Rob George

Rob is a highly regarded expert on international children law, with most of his practice involving an international element. His knowledge and experience in this area includes Hague and non-Hague child abduction, jurisdictional disputes, and international enforcement of orders. His practice in international children law often takes Rob to the Court of Appeal and to the Supreme Court, and his expertise is recognised by his long-time membership of the International Family Justice Committee.

Rob has a particular specialism in relocation disputes, both international and internal. Having written his doctorate and two further books on relocation disputes, Rob is an undisputed expert in this area. He often represents parents in relocation cases at all levels of the Family Court, and is experienced in bringing and defending appeals. Rob also does frequent advice work on relocation, prior to final hearings and for appeals.

Notable International Children Law cases

Application by mother stranded in Pakistan, seeking to return with children to this country.

Application by father for summary return of 13 year-old child to Lithuania.

Successfully secured the return of a young child from Zambia, over 18 months after she was retained there by her mother.

Appeal by child against return order, raising issue as to role of a “solicitor-guardian” in 1980 Convention proceedings.

Rob George represent two children in this re-hearing of a 1980 Hague Convention case. The parents originally agreed to the separation of the children, with one remaining and the other returning under the Convention. The children objected to this proposal and the court set aside that order. At the re-hearing, Rob successfully established exceptions to allow both children to remain in this country, including child’s objections and a grave risk of harm in relation to sibling separation. The case shows the importance of listening to children and the potential role of children themselves in Hague Convention proceedings.

Successfully appealed a decision of the High Court concerning the jurisdiction of the courts in relation to a child wrongfully retained in Zambia. The case provides important clarification about habitual residence and the need to avoid over-simplification of the test, while also making clear for the purposes of the Family Law Act 1986 that it is the substance of the orders sought, not the form of the application, that matters. The case has been remitted for re-hearing on the issue of habitual residence at the date of the application.

Successful application before Francis J to set aside a return order from Poland.

 An application under the Hague Convention 1980.

Application before Cobb J on behalf of two children to have an order rescinded under s 31F(6).