08/11/2025 Bertus Preller Abducting parent defences, Article 13 defences, Article 13(a) consent, Article 13(b) grave risk, Habitual Residence, Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, Left-behind parent rights, Prompt return of child, Wrongful removal of child abducting parent defences, ancillary relief, Article 13 defences, Article 13(a) consent, Article 13(b) grave risk, Central Authority South Africa, child return application, Convention proceedings, curator ad litem, custody proceedings, Denmark child abduction, family law South Africa, grave risk threshold, habitual residence, Hague Convention, International Child Abduction, intolerable situation, jurisdictional issues, Koch case, left-behind parent rights, Mirror Orders, N M v Central Authority, Plascon-Evans rule, prompt return of child, Protective Measures, Sonderup v Tondelli, summary proceedings, two-stage process, wrongful removal of child When Midnight Departures Belie Consent: Article 13 Defences Fail in International Child Abduction Case – Central Authority of the Republic of South Africa and Another v L (2025-178969) [2025] ZAGPJHC 1101 (3 November 2025). Factual Matrix: A Mother's Contested Departure from Denmark to South Africa The dispute before Adams J in the Gauteng Division of the High Court centred on a six-year-old boy who… READ MORE
13/08/2025 Bertus Preller Abduction, Best Interests of the Child, Children, Guardianship, Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, Immigration, Relocation, Section 28 Constitution, Unilateral relocation, Views of the Child best interests, child welfare, children's rights, children's act, co-guardianship, conditional consent, consent affidavit, Constitutional Rights, cross-border enforcement, Family Law, guardianship, Hague Convention, international travel, just and equitable relief, Mirror Orders, overseas travel, parental acrimony, parental consent, Parental Responsibilities, passport applications, section 172, section 18, Section 28 Constitution, South African Law, travel disputes, travel documentation, unreasonable refusal, Western Cape High Court When Conditional Consent Becomes Unreasonable Refusal: Parental Rights and Overseas Travel in B.U v C.M and Others (2025/017920) [2025] ZAWCHC 342 (12 August 2025). Factual Background: A Tale of Parental Acrimony and Non-Cooperation The case of B.U v C.M and Others presents a deeply troubling portrait of how parental discord can prejudice a child's… READ MORE
18/07/2025 Bertus Preller Best Interests of the Child, Children, Children's Court, constitutional rights of children, Divorce, Family reunification, Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, International Travel, Parental Alienation, Relocation, Reunification, Section 28 Constitution best interests of child, child abduction risk, child welfare, child's voice, children's act, contact arrangements, cross-border custody, custody dispute, custody evaluation, custody proceedings, expert evidence, Family Advocate, family court judgment, family law South Africa, habitual residence, interim custody, international child custody, international divorce, international family law, international jurisdiction, Mirror Orders, non-Hague country, Parental Abduction, parental coaching, Parental Rights, psychological assessment, Qatar family law, relocation application, Western Cape High Court When Borders Divide Families: M.K v A.J.K (11407/2023) [2025] ZAWCHC 288 (7 July 2025) – International Child Custody and the Qatar Dilemma. Factual Background: When Divorce Proceedings Cross International Borders This matter exemplifies the complex legal and practical challenges that arise when families with established lives in foreign jurisdictions face marital breakdown.… READ MORE
20/01/2024 Bertus Preller Abuse, Alienation, Children, Relocation Abduction Cases, Abductor Location, Central Authority, Child Participation, child protection, child welfare, Child’s Best Interests, cross-border custody, Custody Battles, custody disputes, domestic violence, Expeditious Proceedings, Family Law, Hague Application, Hague Convention, International Child Abduction, International Cooperation, Interpol Assistance, Judicial Proceedings, legal challenges, Legal Framework, Legal Reforms, Legal Representation, Mirror Orders, Parental Abduction, Parental Rights, Return Orders, South Africa, South African courts NAVIGATING THE COMPLEXITIES OF INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION IN SOUTH AFRICA: LEGAL PERSPECTIVES, CHALLENGES, AND CASE LAW ANALYSIS. INTRODUCTION The escalating global issue of international child abduction has significant implications within the South African legal framework. This analysis delves into South Africa's approach to addressing and implementing key… READ MORE