The Hague Convention

If your matter is part of a broader cross-border divorce (foreign spouse, service abroad, children or assets overseas), start here: International Divorce in South Africa.

What is the Hague Convention and what does it do?

You might have heard of the Hague Convention but you’re not sure what it is. If you have children, particularly if their other parent is not South African and/or you are divorced, it may at some point become relevant to you. The International Hague Convention of Private International Law deals with child abduction. This article spells out exactly what the Hague Convention was set up to do and what process to follow, should you ever find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having a child removed from the country without your consent.

International child abduction

South Africa ratified the International Hague Convention of Private International Law in 1996. The Hague Convention of the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction Act 72 of 1996 came into effect on 1 October 1997. It deals with relocation of a minor child, where that relocation happens without parental consent. The aim of the Convention and the Act is to protect and enforce the rights of care and contact (custody) over a child who has been wrongfully removed to another country. The Convention aims to prevent the unlawful removal of a child from the jurisdiction where they normally reside, without the consent of the other parent or caregiver, and to facilitate the return of a child wrongfully removed in this manner. Article 5 of the Convention states that a country’s courts have custody jurisdiction whenever the child is “habitually resident” there, subject to certain limitations, such as cases of wrongful removal or retention of a child. Where a child has been removed without the other parent’s consent, this is considered wrongful removal and the child must be returned home.

South Africa’s responsibilities

As a signatory to the Convention and a contracting state, South Africa is required to set up an administrative body whose duty it is to trace the child and take the necessary steps to secure the return of the child to the Republic. This authority is referred to as the “Central Authority” and is the Family Advocate’s office in South Africa, specifically the Chief Family Advocate.

Article 3 of the Convention states: “The removal or the retention of a child is to be considered wrongful where (a) it is in breach of rights of custody attributed to a person, an institution or any other body, either jointly or alone, under the law of the State in which the child was habitually resident immediately before the removal or retention; and (b) at the time of removal or retention those rights were actually exercised, either jointly or alone, or would have been so exercised but for the removal or retention. The rights of custody mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) above, may arise in particular by operation of law or by reason of a judicial or administrative decision, or by reason of an agreement having legal effect under the law of that State.”

The Convention applies to all children within signatory countries but its authority lapses once the child reaches the age of 16.

Refusal to return a child

The court in the country where the child is taken may refuse to return the child under certain circumstances. The court will refuse to return the child if:

• The requirements of the Convention are not met
• It transpires that the applicant parent consented to the removal of the child
• The child has been residing abroad for a period exceeding 12 months and is fully settled in the new country
• The child objects to being returned — this depends on the child’s maturity and age
• The return of the child to the Republic would pose a risk to his/her physical or psychological well-being
• The return would be considered a breach of the child’s fundamental freedom and human right

Not all countries are signatories to the Convention. If a child is removed to a country that does not recognise the authority of the Hague Convention, then diplomatic or consular routes must be pursued to secure the return of the child. This can take up to six months. Where a child has been wrongfully removed to another Hague Convention country, the parent can access the provisions of the convention. Service via the Hague Convention is much quicker and less costly than the diplomatic option.

The Hague Convention process

If a parent believes their child has been taken out of the country without their consent – abducted in common parlance – this is the process that must be followed:

• A “letter of request” is drafted together with all the necessary documents setting out the case. This letter is sent to the relevant central authority in the country where the child has been taken to – in South Africa the Chief Family Advocate
• The central authority reviews the file and ensures compliance with the Convention. Once this is done, the file goes to the local court with jurisdiction
• Documents are served on the relevant party (usually the parent who removed the child)
• The central authority compiles paperwork in accordance with the Hague Convention rules to verify that service was completed

If there are any issues regarding missing or incorrect information, the process will be extended and there will be delays. Certain countries may also require translated documents.

Where a Hague concern arises in the context of a wider divorce, jurisdiction and service strategy should be assessed together. InternationalDivorce has a practical checklist covering jurisdiction, service abroad, children and Hague warning signs.

Serve divorce papers overseas from South Africa

If you need to serve divorce papers overseas (or your spouse is outside South Africa), the most common cause of delay is not the divorce itself – it is service of process abroad. The correct procedure depends on the country where your spouse is located and whether that country is a party to the relevant Hague Convention(s).

In practice, the solution is to plan service upfront: confirm the correct address, determine whether translation or authentication is required, and follow the correct channel for service (often via designated authorities). If service is done incorrectly, you can lose weeks or months dealing with technical objections and re-service.

For a practical, step-by-step overview of jurisdiction, timelines, and service abroad (including when children or assets are involved), see our guide on International divorce in South Africa.

FAQ: Serving divorce papers abroad

How do you serve divorce papers overseas from South Africa?
You must follow the service rules applicable to the country where your spouse is located. In many cases, service must be done through formal channels (often involving designated authorities), and may require translations and properly authenticated documents. The key is to plan service before issuing, so you avoid re-service and technical objections.

How long does service abroad take?
It depends on the destination country, the channel used for service, whether translations are required, and whether the address is correct and verifiable. In cross-border divorces, service abroad is commonly the longest step – so completing a proper “service pack” upfront is usually the fastest way to reduce delay.

Do I need the Hague Service Convention to serve a divorce summons abroad?
Not always. The correct process depends on the destination country and whether it is part of the Hague Service Convention (or other international arrangements). If the Hague route applies, you generally need to follow the prescribed formal process; if it does not apply, you may need to comply with local service requirements and South African court rules for service outside the Republic.

You need an excellent family lawyer

At Cape Town Divorce Attorneys, we’ve helped many parents navigate the difficult scenario of post-divorce relocation. We can help you if you need to relocate to another province or country. If your child has been abducted, we will support you in lodging a case with the central authority (Family Advocate) in South Africa or in seeking an order in a non-member state. Contact Cape Town attorney Simon Dippenaar on 086 099 5146 or email sdippenaar@sdlaw.co.za to discuss your case in confidence. We are also in Johannesburg and Durban.

Further reading:

• International Divorce Lawyer South Africa
• International Child Abduction
• International Child Custody
• Child abduction – what if your child has been taken away without your permission?
• Moving with children post-divorce? What you need to know
• Serving Divorce Papers Abroad

If your divorce involves another country, our International Divorce Checklist explains the documents and information you’ll need.

SD Law – Simon Dippenaar & Associates Inc.

Attorneys, Notaries & Conveyancers

SD Law is a Cape Town law firm with a strong practice in divorce and family law, urgent eviction matters, antenuptial contracts, liquor licence applications and selected commercial disputes. Clients instruct us when the matter is urgent, high-stakes or strategically sensitive, and when they want direct, clear legal advice backed by practical litigation experience.

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