Family mediation in international child abduction cases in Ireland: One size will not fit all

Abstract

This paper explores how mediation can support the legal process in international cross-border child abduction cases in Ireland. It draws on research carried out as part of requirements for a Master’s degree in mediation and conflict intervention and reports on qualitative interviews with nine professionals with experience in international child abduction cases or extensive training in this field. It explores the role of the Irish Legal Aid Board‘s family mediation service in Hague cases and concludes that a ‘one size fits all’ model is unlikely to meet the need for flexibility in such cases.