From January 1^st 2021, when the United Kingdom’s (UK) transition period from the European Union (EU) ends, the UK will adopt the 2007 Hague Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance ( 2007 Child Support Convention).

The UK is currently bound by the 2007 Child Support Convention by virtue of the approval of the European Union as are 40 States including European Union members, with the exception of Denmark.

The 2007 Child Support Convention was established to ensure a modern, efficient and accessible international system for the cross-border recovery of child support and other forms of family maintenance. It aims to do this by improving the co-operation among States for the international recovery of child support and other forms of family maintenance.

The 2007 Child Support Convention shall apply to, maintenance obligations arising from a parent-child relationship towards a person under the age of 21 years and recognition and enforcement of a decision for spousal support.  The provisions of this Convention shall apply to children regardless of the marital status of the parents.

Adopting the 2007 Child Support Convention will aid in ensuring some level of continuity and co-operation post withdrawal agreement, this should ease the process of international child and family maintenance matters involving the United Kingdom.