Burlingtons LegalInternational relocation of children/leave to remove

This website provides information for parents who wish to move abroad permanently with their children after the breakdown of a relationship and for parents wishing to oppose their children moving abroad after the end of a relationship.

The key to success


The key to success in obtaining permission to relocate abroad permanently with your children or successfully opposing relocation lies in meticulous preparation of your case, backed up with strong supporting evidence. International leave to remove/relocation of children is a very specialised area of the law. In order to have the best chance of success you are strongly advised to consult solicitors with particular expertise in this area of family law.

What this website is about

Applications for leave to remove children permanently from the jurisdiction (i.e. from the UK) is the main subject matter of this website. It has been estimated by Resolution, the family law organisation, that there are about 1200 such applications to the Court each year, although there are no hard statistics.

With the increase in the number of international couples and ease of movement around the world for work and other purposes, the numbers of such applications are on the increase. These cases are often distressing and difficult for everyone, involving, as they often do, two loving parents who happen to disagree about whether it is in the best interests of their children to remain living in the UK or to move abroad, after the breakdown of the parental relationship.

Most applications to the Court for Leave to Remove children permanently from the jurisdiction are made by mothers but the information on this website applies equally to applications by fathers or other carers for permission to take the children abroad permanently, to relocate to another jurisdiction.

About us


Burlingtons Legal LLP

Burlingtons Legal is a well established niche law firm based in London, but with offices in several other international locations. Family law is one of our major specialisms. For additional information on the company and its services, click here.

The family law team

The Family Law team at Burlingtons is headed by Maeve O'Higgins, the Family Law Partner, who has extensive experience of acting for parents in international relocation cases, including parents applying for leave to remove and parents opposing such applications.

Our experience

We have extensive experience of acting for parents who wish to relocate abroad with their children, as well as parents who are opposed to their children relocating abroad. We have a high record of success in relation to acting for both the relocating parent and the left behind parent in such cases.

Contact the team

Quick Call Back

Initial free legal advice

Enter your details below to receive a Quick Call Back with free legal advice on Leaveto Remove/International Relocation of Children from one of our experienced family lawyers