What We Do
When child care & contact cases cross borders, the law gets technical—fast. We help South African parents (and foreign co-parents connected to SA) with:
- International care & contact plans that hold up in court (and abroad)
- Relocation applications & oppositions (outbound or inbound to SA)
- Hague Convention return applications/defences (wrongful removal/retention)
- Mirror orders & undertakings so your South African order is enforceable overseas
- Enforcement of foreign orders in South Africa (and SA orders abroad)
- Passport/travel consent disputes and urgent interdicts
- High-conflict case management with senior counsel and specialist experts
Tell us what’s happening — get a plan today
Why Parents Choose Us
1) 15+ years in international care & contact
We live in this niche. You get a battle-tested plan from day one.
2) Senior advocates with winning records
We brief only top-tier counsel with proven results in relocation and Hague matters.
3) Highest client ratings in this space
Consistent 5-star feedback for diligence, humanity, and outcomes.
4) Thought leadership you can trust
Hundreds of articles, guides, and case explainers. We publish so you can act with clarity.
5) National media presence
Regular commentary on child law, international relocation, and abduction issues.
6) Real community service
Endorsed by the Reeva Steenkamp Foundation. Leadership in public safety as CPF Chair.
See how we’d approach your matter
International Child Custody Case Snapshot
UK citizen mother • SA permanent residence • Child born in Europe
Father sought to keep the child in South Africa. Outcome: we won.
Key factors: best interests analysis, stability in SA, protective undertakings, enforceable contact for the other parent.
(Anonymised; full judgment details available on request.)
Ask us if your facts qualify for a similar strategy
How We Win International Child Care & Contact (Custody) Matters
tep 1 — Rapid Triage (48–72 hours): facts, timelines, risks, and urgent protections (travel holds, passport safeguards).
Step 2 — Jurisdiction & Treaty Map: SA vs foreign court; Hague applicability; mirror-order strategy; undertakings.
Step 3 — Evidence Build: parenting history, child welfare experts, school/medical records, country-risk notes.
Step 4 — Secure Interim Protections: interim contact/care orders, non-removal interdicts, supervised transitions if needed.
Step 5 — Settlement or Hearing: mediation where sensible; senior counsel for hearing where necessary.
Step 6 — Enforceability: mirror orders/register orders abroad; detailed compliance terms; tech-contact protocols.
What “Best Interests” Means in Child Custody Cases
South African courts must place the child’s best interests first. In cross-border cases, judges weigh:
- Care history & primary attachment
- Stability (home, school, medical, community)
- Practicality of cross-border contact (costs, travel time, schedules)
- Safety and credible allegations (not tactical claims)
- The child’s voice, if age-appropriate
- Protective undertakings to reduce risk (housing, schooling, non-prosecution, therapy)
- Mirror orders to ensure the SA order is enforceable where the child will live or travel
Ask us what a court will weigh in your case
Frequently Asked International Child Custody Questions
In SA we use care (who provides day-to-day parenting) and contact (time/communication). We’ll frame your case in the language courts expect.
No. A court must authorise relocation if the other parent withholds consent. Courts look for a reasonable, bona fide reason and a plan that safeguards the child’s relationship with the other parent.
If both countries are Hague members, we act urgently for return (or defend one) within strict timelines. Speed matters.
Often, yes—with the right process. We use recognition procedures and mirror orders to make it enforceable.
Yes. We bring urgent applications for non-removal orders, passport controls, and interim care/contact.
Ethical Advocacy, Real-World Results
- We avoid “hired-gun” experts. We brief respected, court-credible specialists.
- We aim for child-centred, durable settlements; we litigate hard where safety or fairness demands it.
- We keep you updated, prepared, and ready for every step.
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Disclaimer: Nothing on this page is legal advice; each matter is fact-specific. We act across South Africa and coordinate with foreign counsel where needed. Your consultation is private and without obligation.