International child abduction - exercise of rights of access

When a child is taken or retained abroad by one of its parents or another person against the will of the other parent, for example following a vacation, those involved are often left feeling desperate and helpless. The same is true when a parent is prevented from or hindered in exercising his or her rights of access towards a child living abroad by the other parent. In these cases, the Central Authority on International Child Abduction at the Federal Office of Justice cooperates with its counterparts in other Contracting States in order to resolve such disputes as quickly as possible and in the best interests of the child concerned.

Brochure

• English (PDF, 2 MB, 10.11.2021)
• German (PDF, 2 MB, 10.11.2021)
• French (PDF, 2 MB, 10.11.2021)
• Italian (PDF, 2 MB, 10.11.2021)
• Spanish (PDF, 2 MB, 10.11.2021)

Joint parental responsibility since July 1st, 2014

The new provisions on joint parental responsibility came into force on 1 July 2014. Joint parental responsibility means that the parents decide jointly on all matters concerning the child. These may have repercussions on the assessment of the legality of a child being removed to or retained in another country. This document summarises the more important consequences and the legal principles behind them.

• Significance of the new provisions of the Civil Code on joint parental responsibility in international cases (PDF, 44 kB, 31.07.2014)

Mediation : a guide by International Social Service

In 2015, the International Social Service (ISS) has published an informative guide entitled: Resolving Family Conflicts. A Guide to International Family Mediation.

• English (PDF, 3 MB, 05.06.2020)
• German (PDF, 4 MB, 05.06.2020)
• French (PDF, 3 MB, 05.06.2020)
• Italian (PDF, 3 MB, 05.06.2020)
• Spanish (PDF, 3 MB, 05.06.2020)

Note

For the complete documentation see the pages in German, French or Italian.

Documentation

• International Social Service - Switzerland
• Hague Conference on Private International Law
• INCADAT
• Netzwerk Art 3. BG-KKE / Réseau art 3. LF-EEA / Rete art 3. LF-RMA (PDF, 236 kB, 21.08.2024)
• Merkblatt: Präventive Ausschreibung eines Kindes bei Gefahr einer internationalen Kindesentführung (PDF, 356 kB, 29.01.2024)
• Aide-Mémoire : Signalement préventif d’un enfant en cas de risque d’enlèvement international (PDF, 366 kB, 29.01.2024)
• Promemoria: Segnalazione preventiva di un bambino a rischio di rapimento internazionale (PDF, 371 kB, 29.01.2024)

  (This document is not available in English)

Dossier

Press releases

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To the Federal Administration News Portal

Last modification 08.08.2024