Information for solicitors
Information for solicitors - Criteria for admission to ICACU Referral List
The ICACU, working in collaboration with the Law Society and others, has introduced a new scheme for accreditation of solicitors dealing with international child abduction work. It is the intention that the criteria for being added to the list should be transparent, and should demonstrate that both the firm and the individual solicitor should have the resources and competencies required for this demanding work.
The criteria for admission of new firms of solicitors to the referral list is set out below:
1. The firm:
confirms, (and if requested provides sufficient detailed information to justify that confirmation) that it has the resources and infrastructure in place to enable it to handle urgent High Court litigation in London;
provides an undertaking to notify the Unit forthwith of any relevant changes, including a change in the identity of the solicitor or solicitors conducting or supervising child abduction cases; and
is contracted with the Legal Services Commission to undertake all publicly funded family work within the family Specialist Quality Mark and in accordance with the Funding Code made under the Access to Justice Act 1999.
2. The solicitor (or solicitors) who will conduct or supervise the conduct of child abduction matters is (are):
either (a) a member of the Law Society Family Law Panel (Advanced) having taken the Child Abduction and Wardship optional component; or (b) is a Resolution Accredited Specialist who has successfully completed the Child Abduction Specialist Portfolio; and
has acted (or assisted) in at least 2 child abduction return cases (either for claimant or defendant) which have proceeded to judgment.
The above information should be provided to the unit in writing and if all the above criteria are met, the firm will be added to the existing referral list.
If you have any questions regarding the criteria, please do not hesitate to contact the unit.