Cross-Border Family Mediation

Cooperation and Networking 78 7. Conclusion 81 8. References 81 International Parental Child Abduction to Non-Hague Muslim Countries: Mediation as a Viable Option Mohamed M. Keshavjee & Ischtar Khalaf-Newsome 83 1. Introduction 83 2. The 1980 Hague Convention and Muslim Countries 84 2.1 The 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention: Key Provisions 84 2.2 Perceived Obstacles to Muslim Countries Joining the 1980 Hague Convention 86 2.3 International Initiatives Between Hague Convention Countries and Non-Convention Muslim Countries 91 3. Mediation as a Viable Option in Child Abduction Cases to Non-Convention Muslim Countries 93 3.1 Working Party on Mediation in the Context of the Malta Process 93 3.2 Mediation in Different Cultures and the Development of Cross-border Family Mediation 94 3.3 The Amenability to Mediation of Family Conflicts in Islam 97 3.4 Cross-border Family Mediation in a Muslim Context: Towards a Model and Standards 98 3.5 Cross-border Family Mediation Training for a Muslim Context: A Culturally Appropriate Model 103 4. Conclusion 105 5. References 107 The Voice of the Child in International Family Mediation Lesley Allport 111 1. Introduction 111 2. The Legislative Framework 111 3. Insights from Research 114 4. Involving Children in Mediation 116 5. A Practice Model 121 6. Considerations Specific to Cross-border Mediation Cases 125 7. Conclusion 127 8. References 128 Cross-border and Bilingual: Bridging the Linguistic Gap Mary Carroll 131 1. Introduction 131 2. Parties in Conflict 132 3. Complex Problem: Clear-cut Solution? 133 3.1 Intercomprehension 135 3.2 The Co-mediator as Interpreter 135 3.3 From a Triad to a Quadrant - Enlisting an Interpreter 137 4. Role Plays and Interviews 141 5. Conclusion 142 5.1 Suggestions for Mediators of Bilingual Cross-border Mediations 143 6. References 145 Mediation With a Twist - Handling Mediation Online Lin Adrian & Charlotte Baek Risbjerg 147 1. Introduction 147 2. Online Dispute Resolution - Definition and Formats 148 3. Specificities in Video-supported Mediation 149 4. Suggestions for Video-mediation Practices 155 4.1 Handling the Technology. 156 4.2 Ensuring a Good Process 158 4.3 Working with Interpersonal Relations 159 4.4 Handling Communication and Lack of Social Cues 161 4.5 Considering Co-mediation 162 5. In Closing 163 6. References 164 Cross-border Family Mediation (CBFM) Training Jamie Walker & Ischtar Khalaf-Newsome 167 1. Introduction 167 1.1 The Development of Cross-border Family Mediation (CBFM) Into a Specialist Field 168 1.2 Best Practices in Cross-border Family Mediation 169 2. The Need for CBFM Training and Training Initiatives 171 2.1 Training Needs for CBFM Mediators 171 2.2 CBFM Training Needs for Other Target Groups 172 2.3 Training Initiatives and Training Models 174 3. Training Content and Methodology 175 3.1 Content 176 3.2 Training Methodology 183 3.3 The Need for Qualified Trainers 184 4. Networking and On-going Support 184 5. Conclusion 184 6. References 185 Section 2 The Legal Context of Cross-border Family Cases 187 The Legal Framework of Child Abduction Cases Kyra Nehls 189 1. Introduction 189 2. The Legal Framework of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (1980 Hague Convention) 189 2.1 Scope 190 2.2 Substantive Requirements for Return 190 2.3 Ban on a Decision on the Merits of Custody Rights (art. 16) 191 2.4 Exceptions to the Obligation to Return the Child Immediately 192 2.5 Procedural Steps 193 2.6 Special Features of the Brussels IIb (Recast) Regulation 194 2.7 De-escalation Measures to End Proceedings 195 3. European Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions Concerning Custody of Children and on Restoration of Custody of Children (European Custody Convention) 198 4. Abductions in Contracting States Not Party to the 1980 Hague Convention 199 5. International Rights of Custody and Access 199 5.1 Brussels IIb Regulation 199 5.2 Hague Convention Concerning the Powers of Authorities and the Law Applicable in Respect of the Protection of Infants (1961 Hague Convention) 201 5.3 Hague Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (Hague Child Protection Convention) 201 5.4 Access Rights Under the 1980 Hague Convention 204 5.5 Rights of Access Under the European Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions Concerning Custody of Children and on Restoration of Custody and Children 204 5.6 Convention on Contact Concerning Children (Contact Convention) 204 5.7 Autonomous Law 205 6. Conclusion 206 7. References 206 Integrating Mediation Into Return and Parental Responsibility Court Proceedings Eberhard Carl & Martina Erb-Klünemann 207 1. Introduction 207 2. Court Proceedings for the Return of the Child 207 3. Advantages of Integrating Mediation 211 4. Integrating Mediation Into Court Proceedings 212 5. Return Proceedings Under the 1980 Hague Convention 213 5.1 Promotion of Mediation 213 5.2 Working Groups 214 5.3 German Working Group Recommendations 215 5.4 Further Considerations When Recommending Mediation 217 6. Financing Mediation 222 6.1 Systems of Financing Mediation 222 6.2 Statement of Costs 224 7. Integrating Results of Mediation Into Court Proceedings 226 7.1 Mediation as a Safe Place 226 7.2 Content of a Mediated Agreement 227 7.3 Rendering an Agreement Legally Binding 227 7.4 Choice of Court Agreements Under the Brussels IIb Regulation 229 8. Cross-border Parental Responsibility and Contact Proceedings 231 9. Conclusion 232 10. References 232 A Best Practice Model: MiC-Mediators in Court Sabine Brieger 237 1. Introduction 237 1.1 International Family Proceedings 237 1.2 Specialised Family Mediation 238 1.3 Proceedings Under the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention and Mediation 239 2. The "Mediators-in-Court" (MiC) Model 240 2.1 Written Information About Mediation 240 2.2 Particularities of the MiC Model 240 2.3 The Decisive Difference 243 3. Suggestions for Further Promotion of Mediation in Return Proceedings 245 3.1 Legal Requirements 245 3.2 Specialised Mediation and Mediation Structures 246 3.3 Financing 246 3.4 Training 247 3.5 The Role of Lawyers 247 3.6 Standardized Procedure 247 3.7 Legal Implementation of an Agreement Reached in Mediation 248 4. Conclusion 249 5. References 249 Rendering Mediated Family Agreements Legally Binding and Enforceable Juliane Hirsch & Sabine Brieger 251 1. Introduction 251 2. General Considerations 251 2.1 Why Is It Important to Render Mediated Agreements Legally Binding and Enforceable? 251 2.2 What Are the Main Challenges in Practice? 252 2.3 What Are General Requirements for an Agreement to Become Legally Binding and Enforceable in One Legal System? 253 2.4 Identifying the Relevant International Procedural Law and the Ideal "Starting Point Jurisdiction" 258 3. International Work Undertaken to Improve the Situation 260 4. Sample Agreement and Guidance in Practice 262 4.1 Family Agreement in a German-Polish Case 262 4.2 How to Render the Agreement Legally Binding and Enforceable in Germany 263 4.3 How to Render the Agreement Legally Binding and Enforceable in the Other State - Poland - With the Help of International/Regional Legal Instruments 268 5. Need for Legislative Activity - on the National and International Level 268 5.1 On the National Level 268 5.2 On the International Level 270 6. References 272 Section 3 Important Contacts, Guidelines and Resources 273 1. Important Contacts 275 2. Weblinks to Important Resources 276 2.1 Links to Practice Guides & Information Films and Other Resources 276 2.2 Links to Important Legal Resources, Declarations & Legal Instruments 277 3. Checklists 278 3.1 Checklist for Requirements for an Order of Return 278 3.2 Procedural Checklist for Judges 279 4. Court Information Letters 282 4.1 Information for Conflict Parties: An Example From Germany 282 4.2 Information for Lawyers: An Example From Germany 284 5. Stages of Mediation 287 6. Agreement to Mediate 288 7. Examples of Mediated Parental Agreements 291 7.1 Parental Settlement and Court Order - Germany 291 7.2 Parental Settlement and Mirror Order - USA 293 8. Choice of Court Agreement 298 9. Wroclaw Declaration 301 Section 4 Legal Instruments 303 1. 1980 Hague Convention 305 2. Brussels IIb (Recast) Regulation 318 3. 1996 Hague Child Protection Convention 398 4. Mediation Directive 2008/52/EC - European Parliament and of the Council 418 Section 5 Case Studies 429 A Bangladeshi-British Mediation Mohamed M. Keshavjee 431 The Role of Consulting Lawyers Christoph C. Paul & Jamie Walker 437 From Child Abduction to Property Distribution Christoph C. Paul & Jamie Walker 445 Notes on Contributors 455 List of Authors 467 Index 471