The Magistrates' Courts (Child Abduction and Custody) Rules 1986
These Rules make provision for the procedure to be followed in magistrates' courts in consequence of the Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 which comes into force on 1st August 1986, by virtue of the Child Abduction and Custody Act 1985 (Commencement) Order 1986 (S.I. 1986/1048). The Act incorporates into the law of the United Kingdom the Convention on the Civil Aspects of Child Abduction done at the Hague on 25th October 1980 (Cmnd. 8281) and the European Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Decisions concerning Custody of Children and on Registration of Custody of Children, done at Luxembourg on 20th May 1980 (Cmnd. 8155). The main effect of these Conventions on magistrates' courts is to restrict their powers to deal with certain pending custody proceedings where an application has been made under either Convention in respect of a child.