Issued by: SA Communication Service
COMMENCEMENT OF THE HAGUE CONVENTION ON THE CIVIL ASPECTS OF INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION ACT, 1996.
The Commencement of the Hague convention on the civil aspects of international child abduction is into operation with effect from 1 October 1997.
The Act provides for the application in the Republic of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of The International Child Abduction (the Convention) and designates the Chief Family Advocate as the Central Authority for the Republic for the purposes of the Convention. The objects of the Convention are to secure the prompt return of children wrongfully removed to or retained in any Contracting State and to ensure that rights of custody and access are effectively respected in Contracting States. The Convention will enter into force for the Republic on 1 October 1997. It should be noted that the Convention will only have effect with regard to the relations between the Republic and such Contracting States that have declared their acceptance of thee Republic's accession on the first day of the third calendar month after the deposit of the declaration of acceptance. At the time of writing of this memorandum no State has as yet declared their acceptance of the Republic's accession.
PRACTICAL OPERATION
The Convention only applies to abductions or retentions that took place after thee Convention entered into force between the Republic and the State where the applicant is resident.
ISSUED BY THE CHIEF DIRECTORATE: COMMUNICATION SERVICES 7 OCTOBER 1997 PRETORIA
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