International leaders
Led by world leader Ian Kennedy AM, the team at Kennedy Partners has unparalleled expertise in dealing with international family law matters. Foreseeing the growth in the number of families residing across multiple jurisdictions and investing their resources in markets around the world, Kennedy Partners has been building upon their experience dealing with international aspects of family law for decades.
Having considered the complexity, costs and delays in resolving matters involving international issues, Kennedy Partners has not only invested in ensuring its team are across the technical difficulties, but also in its relationships with firms on the ground in a wide variety of jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, the Asia/Pacific region, South and Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.
To ensure these relationships are well maintained, Ian, Olivia and John are all fellows of the international academy of family lawyers (“IAFL”). The IAFL meet regularly in cities around the world to continually update each other on the major developments in their respective family law jurisdictions. The information and practical learnings available to the Kennedy Partners team via this association is invaluable to the speed and efficiency with which Kennedy Partners can deal with those international aspects of its clients’ matters.
Kennedy Partners is universally recognised for its contributions to the development of international law and the protection of children’s rights across borders, and particularly the 1980 Hague Convention on International Child Abduction.
The Convention, which operates between around 100 contracting countries, is administered by the Hague Conference on Private International Law (HCCF) which maintains the International Child Abduction Database (INCADAT), established to collate and provide judgements and key information as an essential resource for Judges, Central Authorities and legal practitioners involved in the implementation of the Convention and for academics and others active in the area.
Comprehensive, up-to-date information is critical for those dealing with the complex issues which arise under the Convention and, consistently with our commitment to promoting the principles of the Convention and its vital role in the international protection of children, Kennedy Partners has accepted an invitation to become Australian sponsor of INCADAT to help ensure that the database (currently containing 1400 cases and determinations from 55 jurisdictions) continues to be maintained and available to all those who rely on it.
We are proud to have the opportunity to make a difference by supporting INCADAT in providing the resources vital to facilitating the operation of the Convention and its consistent, effective application by the Courts of its constituent member countries.
