Watkins Solicitors: Recognised Experts on the ICACU Panel of Solicitors for International Child Abduction Cases

Watkins Solicitors: Recognised Experts on the ICACU Panel of Solicitors for International Child Abduction Cases

We are pleased to announce that Watkins Solicitors has been accepted onto the ICACU Panel of Solicitors, the official referral list of trusted legal experts authorised to act in international child abduction cases.

Maintained by the International Child Abduction and Contact Unit (ICACU) in collaboration with the Law Society and government departments, this panel includes only a select number of law firms across England and Wales. Watkins Solicitors is now one of the few firms in the Bristol and wider South West region to meet the rigorous criteria for inclusion.

What does it mean to be on the ICACU panel?

Law firms selected for the ICACU panel must demonstrate:

• Proven expertise and infrastructure to manage urgent, high-level international child abduction cases, including litigation in the High Court in London.

• Specialist family law solicitors who are accredited and have acted in recent Hague Convention proceedings.

• The capacity to respond immediately to ICACU referrals and provide consistent updates throughout the case.

Our expertise in action

Sheldon Price, Partner and Head of International Family Law at Watkins Solicitors, is one of the leading figures in this field. With over 20 years’ experience in family law, Sheldon brings both technical expertise and deep empathy to each case.

“When a child is taken across borders without consent, it is one of the most traumatic and overwhelming experiences a parent can face,” says Sheldon. “There is often fear, confusion, and a deep sense of helplessness, especially when navigating unfamiliar legal systems in another country. These cases move incredibly quickly, and every hour counts.

That is why it is so important to have the right legal team in place from the outset. One that understands the urgency, the law, and the emotional toll these situations take.

Being accepted onto the ICACU panel is not just recognition of our legal expertise, but a reflection of our deep commitment to helping families through these high-stakes, life-altering moments. We work tirelessly to secure swift, lawful outcomes and to ensure that every parent we support feels heard, protected, and guided through the entire process, no matter how complex the case.”

Understanding the Hague Convention

If your child has been taken to another country without your consent, or kept there when they should have returned home, you may be able to get help through the Hague Convention.

This international agreement is designed to protect children from being wrongfully removed or kept away from their home country. It allows parents to apply for the child’s safe return so that important decisions about their care, like where they should live, can be made in the correct legal system.

At Watkins Solicitors, we regularly act in these urgent cases and can guide you through every step of the process.

When should you contact us?

If your child has been taken abroad or kept in another country without your agreement, time is critical. These cases are extremely urgent and require specialist advice as early as possible.

Our team has extensive experience handling these sensitive matters swiftly and effectively. We are here to guide you through every step and to ensure your voice is heard.

For confidential advice or immediate support, please contact Sheldon Price or a member of our International Family Law team at www.watkinssolicitors.co.uk or call 0117 939 0350.