Stephen Cullen, a principal in the firm’s Family Law & Private Clients practice group, presented a workshop titled “Grave Risk of Harm Defense—1980 Hague Convention” at the 55th Annual Association of Family and Conciliation Courts Conference.

Program Description:

This workshop will present a thorough analysis and recent developments concerning the defense contained in paragraph 13(b) of the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, which is commonly known as the grave risk of harm defense. Presenters will discuss the burden of proof for the taking parent who asserts this defense, conditions, and circumstances that have been asserted as the basis for the defense, and recent international developments concerning this issue, including discussion and action at The Hague Conference Special Commission meeting in October 2017 and the draft Guide to Good Practice concerning this defense. The discussion will include suggestions for case management that recognize that the children and their parents have suffered trauma and that a trauma-informed approach may help mitigate aspects of that trauma

Speakers:

• Hon. Hiram Puig-Lugo, Washington, D.C.
• Stephen Cullen, LLB, Miles & Stockbridge, Washington, D.C.
• Erin S. Larkin, Ayuda, Washington, D.C.