The Office of the Head of International Family Justice
The Office of the Head of International Family Justice was created as a consequence of Lord Justice Thorpe’s appointment in January 2005 by the Lord Chief Justice, then Lord Woolf, and the Lord Chancellor as Head of International Family Justice for England and Wales.
The creation of this office was essential to manage the steady and continuing growth of the demands of international family litigation. The office deals with a range of legal queries and correspondence from external sources including exchanges of correspondence with foreign judges.
- It provides assistance in responding to developments in European and international family law and policy and in managing arrangements for international conferences.
- It advises on legal issues related, but not limited, to international child abduction and relocation including specific issues arising under Brussel II revised and the 1980 Hague Convention.
- It liaises with MoJ, FCO, and European and International bodies.
Miss Delia Williams joined the International Family Justice Office in September this year (2007) as Lawyer (Legal Secretary) to Lord Justice Thorpe. She took over from Laurence Endres. Administration support is provided by the Executive Assistant, Miss Karen Wheller.