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Over the past year, GlobalARRK’s Law Clinic has provided vital support to stuck parents facing complex international family law issues. We opened our ‘remote’ doors to 32 stuck parents to speak directly with an experienced international family lawyer about their circumstances, including international relocation and Hague proceedings. The clinic has been made possible through the generosity of nine partner law firms, whose lawyers have given their time to provide pro bono advice and information to GlobalARRK families.For many parents, the clinic is their first opportunity to speak with a lawyer about their situation. In fact, 57% of attendees had not spoken with a lawyer before attending the clinic and 60% were identified as qualifying for legal aid.  The feedback from parents who attended has been overwhelmingly positive. All attendees  said the Law Clinic was useful, and it helped them better understand their legal situation. One parent told us: “It was extremely useful and helpful, it helped me to understand my options for my life in the future and helped me make life decisions.’ Another parent highlighted the value of having clear information to refer back to after their appointment: “The Legal Clinic was helpful, and I am grateful for the summary notes after – I feel I have the information at the ready, know what my next steps are and am ready which is not something I could say before I got in touch with GlobalARRK.” Thank you to the solicitors who have given their time over the past year. Their generosity has enabled parents to access specialist international family law information at a time when they need it most. Their contribution has helped parents move from uncertainty towards greater understanding and informed decision-making. Law Clinic Pro Bono PartnersKirsty Leedham, HM3 Legal (now at McAlister Family Law) Katie Camozzi, MSB Pam Sanghera, Charles Strachan Carolina Pedreno and Forum Shah, Dawson Cornwell Kim Lehal, RWK Goodmans Sarah Inchley, TV Edwards Amy Rowe, Hunters LLP Katie Vernon, Brethertons Linda Lisingu, Roythornes

GlobalARRK CEO, Rosalind Osborne recently attended the OPOKA CIO Conference, where she spoke on behalf of the GlobalARRK and engaged with members of the Polish community and partner organisations. The conference provided an important opportunity to better understand the strengths, experiences and needs of the Polish community in the UK, as well as to learn more about the incredible work being carried out by OPOKA in supporting Polish domestic abuse survivors and vulnerable families in the UK. A key focus of the discussions was the unique challenges faced by migrant survivors, including those who return to Poland and encounter complex cross-border family law issues under the 1980 Hague Convention. The organisation looks forward to continuing to build relationships with OPOKA and other partners committed to improving outcomes for survivors and their children.

The Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCH) report on the Second Forum on Domestic Violence and the Operation of Article 13(1)(b) of the 1980 Hague Convention HCCH Report on the Second Forum on Domestic Violence and the Operations of Article 13(1)(b) of the 1980 Hague Convention on International Child Abduction Rosalind Osborne CEO of GlobalARRK and Ruth Dineen from FiLiA Hague Mothers presented on the lived experiences of survivors where mirrored protective orders have failed to protect victims of Domestic Violence and sadly they and their children have been harmed after a return under the convention. This remains a serious concern which needs timely and concrete action from the governors of the Convention. We raised multiple concerns about the Guide to Good Practice on Art 13b and proposed that it should be updated to include lived experience voice and reflect up to date safeguarding and child protection practices and we are disappointed that this update is not scheduled any time soon. Read the report here: HCCH Report