By decision of the Council for the Judiciary dated July 14, 2005, the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Juvenile and Family Law of the Court of The Hague were appointed as liaison judge international child protection. Due to changes in the structuring of the Courts in the Netherlands, there has been a change in the appointment / title of the liaison judge. By decision of the Council for the Judiciary dated 20 November 2012 the President of the Family Law and International Child Protection Division of the District Court of The Hague and the senior judge in the Family Law and International Child Protection Division of the District Court of The Hague, specialist in international family law, have been appointed as liaison judges International child protection with effect from 1 January 2013.
The liaison judge facilitates contacts between judges in The Netherlands in whose court proceedings on the basis of the 1996 Hague Convention on the Protection of Children (hereinafter: the Convention) as well as the Regulation Brussels II bis dated November 27, 2003 (hereinafter: the Regulation) are pending, and judges abroad who are designated competent authorities as well as contacts between judges abroad in whose court such proceedings are pending with judges in The Netherlands.
The liaison judge also facilitates contacts between judges in The Netherlands and judges abroad in cases of international child abduction. In such cases, the liaison judge is also the first contact for the Central Authority and may act as a central mailbox for notifications about decisions taken by judges abroad including the non-return of a child to The Netherlands.
In order to execute these tasks, the Department of Juvenile and Family law of the Court of The Hague has established an ‘Office Liaison Judge International Child Protection’. This office also serves as a ‘help-desk’ and a source of knowledge. The office will be staffed by five legal assistants (working in turns).
The execution of the duties of the liaison judge will be carried out by mentioned President of the Family Law and International Child Protection Division and senior judge in the Family Law and International Child Protection Division and two other family judges.
Address-information:
District Court of The Hague,
Family Law and International Child Protection Division
Attn of: Liaison Judge International Child Protection
P.O. Box 20302,
2500 EH The Hague
The Netherlands
E-mail:
blik@rechtspraak.nl (preferred)
Telephone number:
+31 (0)88 362 24 08