Department profile
The International Family Law Group LLP

Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

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The International Family Law Group LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy - UK-wide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

The International Family Law Group houses a well-regarded team that provides counsel to clients facing a full range of complex international private and public children law matters. It is routinely called upon to provide counsel on relocation, wardship, surrogacy and child abduction, including both Hague and non-Hague Convention proceedings. The firm's clients include parents, guardians and children, and its cases involve allegations of abuse and neglect.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The support team are excellent. They're to the point, on the top of their game and extremely supportive. They're just fantastic.

    Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK

  • The firm's lawyers are excellent communicators. They have a strong understanding of the situation as it presents itself and give well-considered suggestions and opinions on how to go forward.

    Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK

  • The International Family Law Group are especially knowledgeable in international work and have excellent all-round service.

    Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK

  • The firm has thorough knowledge of Hague law and extensive experience in Hague cases.

    Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Helen Blackburn
    Helen Blackburn

    Helen Blackburn

    Helen Blackburn is an expert in Hague Convention work. She frequently represents clients in international abduction cases and broader Children Act proceedings that concern other jurisdictions.

    • Impeccable under pressure and very strategic, Helen Blackburn has seen it all and forgotten more than most have ever known. She would be my first choice in an international children issue.

      Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK

    • Helen is a very experienced practitioner and has got a lovely manner about her, with real gravitas and authority.

      Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK

    • Helen is remarkably calm and has a forensic eye on the detail. She knows the law inside out and back to front, and is really strong on Hague cases.

      Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK
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  • James Netto
    James Netto

    James Netto

    James Netto advises on a wide spectrum of public and private international children matters, including leave to remove and abduction cases. He is highlighted for his expertise in multi-jurisdictional relocations and jurisdictional disputes.

    • James is excellent and a tactical thinker, particularly adept at representing young persons.

      Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK

    • James is understanding, patient, knowledgeable and experienced.

      Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK

    • James is a pleasure to deal with and has an excellent bedside manner.

      Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK
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  • Natalie Sutherland
    Natalie Sutherland

    Natalie Sutherland

    Natalie Sutherland has a highly regarded modern families practice and is much admired for her support for clients in international surrogacy arrangements.

    • Natalie has boundless energy and enthusiasm.

      Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK

    • Natalie is an amazing lawyer in terms of seeing the larger picture. She is incredibly good at drawing the team back and focusing them on the bigger picture.

      Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK

    • Natalie Sutherland is an exceptional lawyer and a driven individual with a wealth of skill and knowledge.

      Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK
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  • Rosa Schofield
    Rosa Schofield

    Rosa Schofield

    Rosa Schofield has a growing reputation for her work acting on behalf of clients in international abduction cases.

    • Rosa is incredible and completely dedicated to every case. She's always able to click with clients immediately and they trust her implicitly.

      Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK

    • A superb lawyer with the ability to go all the way. She is hugely skilful in dealing with truly challenging international cases, and her track record for success is very impressive.

      Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK

    • The most hands-on junior lawyer I have worked with. She is extremely dedicated: no task or problem is too difficult for Rosa.

      Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at The International Family Law Group LLP (4)

UK-wide

  • Profile image of Helen Blackburn

    Helen Blackburn

    Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy

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  • Profile image of James Netto

    James Netto

    Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy

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  • Profile image of Natalie Sutherland

    Natalie Sutherland

    Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy

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  • Profile image of Rosa Schofield

    Rosa Schofield

    Family/Children Law: International Abduction, Adoption and Surrogacy

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