Top tips from a Senior Family Law Advocate on how to deal with your Child Custody matter in the Grahamstown Children’s Court

  Family law legal matters can be very stressful. This is so whether you live in Grahamstown or any other city in South Africa. Especially so if you have no idea how the legal processes work. It is one thing to know that you are entitled to child support, but it is a totally different matter to know the law and procedure on how to claim child support. Luckily in child maintenance matters, the maintenance court is there to assist you in completing the application form. However, many times that is not enough. Especially so if the other parent has a lawyer and knows how to present the case for his or her client. This article, however, deals with some top tips in care and contact or custody matters in the Children’s Court in Grahamstown. It would explain the processes involved and advise on how to be best prepared for your matter. This advice is applicable whether you live in Grahamstown or any other city in South Africa.

What to do before visiting the Grahamstown Children’s Court

Before you approach the Children’s Court in Grahamstown, first try to resolve the issues with the other parent. Therefore, if you want more contact with your child and the other parent is refusing, try to resolve the matter first with that parent. If that does not work, try mediation. The mediator can be anyone, from a trusted mutual friend, priest, or other religious leaders, or a professional like an attorney, psychologist, or the office of the Family Advocate. Grahamstown has many professionals that can assist you in this regard. If resolving the matter by yourselves is not possible, or mediation fails, then we suggest you approach the Grahamstown Children’s Court for assistance. TIP: Focus on getting someone neutral to assist in mediating your matter. Organisations like FAMSA and FAMAC can be of assistance. Google them.

Approaching the Grahamstown Children’s Court

The Grahamstown Children’s Court should be approached if it is the closest Children’s Court to you. You need to verify with the Grahamstown Children’s Court that you fall under their area of jurisdiction. If not, they would direct you to which Children’s Court is applicable to you. Once you arrive at the Grahamstown Children’s Court, they will provide you with a form headed “Bringing Matter to Court in Terms of Section 53 Children’s Act, 2005 (Act no. 38 of 2005) Regulation Relating to Children’s Court and International Child Abduction, 2008 [Regulation 6]. This form is also called Form 2. In this form, you will provide all your particulars and that of the child or children and the other parent. The sections in the form are as follows:
  • PART A: PARTICULARS OF CHILD(REN)
  • PART B: PARTICULARS OF *CHILD WHO IS AFFECTED BY OR INVOLVED IN THE MATTER/PERSON *ACTING IN THE INTEREST OF THE CHILD/*ON BEHALF OF THE CHILD WHO CANNOT ACT IN HIS/HER OWN NAME/ *MEMBER OF A GROUP OF CLASS OF CHILDREN/*IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST (SECTION 53(2)
  • PART C: PARTICULARS OF PERSONS HAVING AN INTEREST IN THE MATTER
  • PART D: PARTICULARS OF MATTER
In part D, the following is stated which you need to provide in the form:
  • Nature of matter brought to Court: (Please give full details of the matter e.g., registration/amendment of parenting plans, removal of child to safe care, children in need of care and protection, placement in youth care centers, adoption etc.
  • Documents: Are there any documents relating to the matter? (If so please attach)
Once you have completed the form and attached the relevant documents to it, you must take it to a commissioner of Oaths to have it commissioned. It does not have to be in Grahamstown. TIP: Draft a separate affidavit explaining your case. Outline some background information and reasons why the Court should give you what you request. Attach it to Form 2.

Processing your Application at the Grahamstown Children’s Court

Once you complete the Form A and submit it to the Clerk of the Grahamstown Children’s Court, they will process it and allocate it a case number or reference number. The Clerk of the Court would then allocate a date to the matter and advise the parties accordingly when the court date is. Please note that some courts follow a different process for processing the application and informing the parties of the court date. Please enquire from the Court when making the application what process they follow. TIP: Obtain the contact details of the Court for you to contact them to obtain the Court date or other information. Ask for their contact number and email address.

Appearing in the Grahamstown Children’s Court

When notified of the Court date, both you and the other parent should attend. If you are making use of a lawyer (Advocate or Attorney), inform them timeously of the date. Depending on the Court, you may first see the Clerk or go directly to the Magistrate. The Children’s Court would do its best to try to resolve the matter. If the parents cannot come to an agreement, the Children’s Court may postpone the matter for either of the following:
  • Get a social worker involved in the matter;
  • Appoint a legal representative for the minor child;
  • Implement interim care and contact arrangements;
  • Having the parties attempt to agree on a parenting plan;
In serious matters, the Court may remove the minor child from both parents and place the child in foster care. The powers of the Children’s Court are extensive. It will, however, focus on what is in the child’s best interests. TIP: Be as vocal as possible. Do not expect the Court to be understanding of your case or be on your side. It is your duty to explain your case and provide the Court with all the relevant information they require for them to make a fair decision.

Finalising the matter in the Grahamstown Children’s Court

Once the Grahamstown Children’s Court has enough information to make a final decision, it will do so. Depending on the facts of the matter, that could either be making a Parenting Plan, an Order of the Court or a final care and contact Order. The Court may even make further interim orders, where the parties are to return to Court after a few months, or a year later. TIP: Do not agree to something just because the social worker, a lawyer, or the Court suggest it. You need to be happy with what is decided. The above Grahamstown Children’s Court Application tips should apply to the following provinces and cities:

Eastern Cape:

Alice, Butterworth, East London, Graaff-Reinet, Grahamstown, King William’s Town, Mthatha Port Elizabeth, Queenstown, Uitenhage, Zwelitsha

Free State:

Bethlehem. Bloemfontein, Jagersfontein, Kroonstad, Odendaalsrus, Parys, Phuthaditjhaba, Sasolburg, Virginia, Welkom

Gauteng:

Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, Carletonville, Germiston, Johannesburg, Krugersdorp, Pretoria, Randburg, Randfontein, Roodepoort, Soweto, Springs, Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging

KwaZulu-Natal:

Durban, Empangeni, Ladysmith, Newcastle, Pietermaritzburg, Pinetown, Ulundi, Umlazi

Limpopo:

Giyani, Lebowakgomo, Musina, Phalaborwa, Polokwane, Seshego, Sibasa, Thabazimbi

Mpumalanga:

Emalahleni, Nelspruit, Secunda, North West, Klerksdorp, Mahikeng, Mmabatho, Potchefstroom, Rustenburg, Northern Cape, Kimberley, Kuruman, Port Nolloth

Western Cape:

Bellville, Grahamstown, Constantia, George, Hopefield, Oudtshoorn, Paarl, Simon’s Town, Stellenbosch, Swellendam, Worcester
Posted on by Telelaw

Top tips from a Senior Family Law Advocate on how to deal with your Child Custody matter in the Grahamstown Children’s Court

 

Family law legal matters can be very stressful. This is so whether you live in Grahamstown or any other city in South Africa. Especially so if you have no idea how the legal processes work. It is one thing to know that you are entitled to child support, but it is a totally different matter to know the law and procedure on how to claim child support. Luckily in child maintenance matters, the maintenance court is there to assist you in completing the application form. However, many times that is not enough. Especially so if the other parent has a lawyer and knows how to present the case for his or her client.

This article, however, deals with some top tips in care and contact or custody matters in the Children’s Court in Grahamstown. It would explain the processes involved and advise on how to be best prepared for your matter. This advice is applicable whether you live in Grahamstown or any other city in South Africa.

What to do before visiting the Grahamstown Children’s Court

Before you approach the Children’s Court in Grahamstown, first try to resolve the issues with the other parent. Therefore, if you want more contact with your child and the other parent is refusing, try to resolve the matter first with that parent. If that does not work, try mediation. The mediator can be anyone, from a trusted mutual friend, priest, or other religious leaders, or a professional like an attorney, psychologist, or the office of the Family Advocate. Grahamstown has many professionals that can assist you in this regard. If resolving the matter by yourselves is not possible, or mediation fails, then we suggest you approach the Grahamstown Children’s Court for assistance.

TIP: Focus on getting someone neutral to assist in mediating your matter. Organisations like FAMSA and FAMAC can be of assistance. Google them.

Approaching the Grahamstown Children’s Court

The Grahamstown Children’s Court should be approached if it is the closest Children’s Court to you. You need to verify with the Grahamstown Children’s Court that you fall under their area of jurisdiction. If not, they would direct you to which Children’s Court is applicable to you.

Once you arrive at the Grahamstown Children’s Court, they will provide you with a form headed “Bringing Matter to Court in Terms of Section 53 Children’s Act, 2005 (Act no. 38 of 2005) Regulation Relating to Children’s Court and International Child Abduction, 2008 [Regulation 6]. This form is also called Form 2.

In this form, you will provide all your particulars and that of the child or children and the other parent. The sections in the form are as follows:

  • PART A: PARTICULARS OF CHILD(REN)
  • PART B: PARTICULARS OF *CHILD WHO IS AFFECTED BY OR INVOLVED IN THE MATTER/PERSON *ACTING IN THE INTEREST OF THE CHILD/*ON BEHALF OF THE CHILD WHO CANNOT ACT IN HIS/HER OWN NAME/ *MEMBER OF A GROUP OF CLASS OF CHILDREN/*IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST (SECTION 53(2)
  • PART C: PARTICULARS OF PERSONS HAVING AN INTEREST IN THE MATTER
  • PART D: PARTICULARS OF MATTER

In part D, the following is stated which you need to provide in the form:

  • Nature of matter brought to Court: (Please give full details of the matter e.g., registration/amendment of parenting plans, removal of child to safe care, children in need of care and protection, placement in youth care centers, adoption etc.
  • Documents: Are there any documents relating to the matter? (If so please attach)

Once you have completed the form and attached the relevant documents to it, you must take it to a commissioner of Oaths to have it commissioned. It does not have to be in Grahamstown.

TIP: Draft a separate affidavit explaining your case. Outline some background information and reasons why the Court should give you what you request. Attach it to Form 2.

Processing your Application at the Grahamstown Children’s Court

Once you complete the Form A and submit it to the Clerk of the Grahamstown Children’s Court, they will process it and allocate it a case number or reference number. The Clerk of the Court would then allocate a date to the matter and advise the parties accordingly when the court date is. Please note that some courts follow a different process for processing the application and informing the parties of the court date. Please enquire from the Court when making the application what process they follow.

TIP: Obtain the contact details of the Court for you to contact them to obtain the Court date or other information. Ask for their contact number and email address.

Appearing in the Grahamstown Children’s Court

When notified of the Court date, both you and the other parent should attend. If you are making use of a lawyer (Advocate or Attorney), inform them timeously of the date. Depending on the Court, you may first see the Clerk or go directly to the Magistrate. The Children’s Court would do its best to try to resolve the matter. If the parents cannot come to an agreement, the Children’s Court may postpone the matter for either of the following:

  • Get a social worker involved in the matter;
  • Appoint a legal representative for the minor child;
  • Implement interim care and contact arrangements;
  • Having the parties attempt to agree on a parenting plan;

In serious matters, the Court may remove the minor child from both parents and place the child in foster care. The powers of the Children’s Court are extensive. It will, however, focus on what is in the child’s best interests.

TIP: Be as vocal as possible. Do not expect the Court to be understanding of your case or be on your side. It is your duty to explain your case and provide the Court with all the relevant information they require for them to make a fair decision.

Finalising the matter in the Grahamstown Children’s Court

Once the Grahamstown Children’s Court has enough information to make a final decision, it will do so. Depending on the facts of the matter, that could either be making a Parenting Plan, an Order of the Court or a final care and contact Order. The Court may even make further interim orders, where the parties are to return to Court after a few months, or a year later.

TIP: Do not agree to something just because the social worker, a lawyer, or the Court suggest it. You need to be happy with what is decided.

The above Grahamstown Children’s Court Application tips should apply to the following provinces and cities:

Eastern Cape:

Alice, Butterworth, East London, Graaff-Reinet, Grahamstown, King William’s Town, Mthatha

Port Elizabeth, Queenstown, Uitenhage, Zwelitsha

Free State:

Bethlehem. Bloemfontein, Jagersfontein, Kroonstad, Odendaalsrus, Parys, Phuthaditjhaba, Sasolburg, Virginia, Welkom

Gauteng:

Benoni, Boksburg, Brakpan, Carletonville, Germiston, Johannesburg, Krugersdorp, Pretoria, Randburg, Randfontein, Roodepoort, Soweto, Springs, Vanderbijlpark, Vereeniging

KwaZulu-Natal:

Durban, Empangeni, Ladysmith, Newcastle, Pietermaritzburg, Pinetown, Ulundi, Umlazi

Limpopo:

Giyani, Lebowakgomo, Musina, Phalaborwa, Polokwane, Seshego, Sibasa, Thabazimbi

Mpumalanga:

Emalahleni, Nelspruit, Secunda, North West, Klerksdorp, Mahikeng, Mmabatho, Potchefstroom, Rustenburg, Northern Cape, Kimberley, Kuruman, Port Nolloth

Western Cape:

Bellville, Grahamstown, Constantia, George, Hopefield, Oudtshoorn, Paarl, Simon’s Town, Stellenbosch, Swellendam, Worcester

Related Post

I want to relocate from South Africa to Japan with my minor child. The other parent does not want my child to relocate to Japan. What can I do?

Japan is a popular destination to emigrate to. People emigrate from South Africa for many reasons. It ranges from better employment opportunities, family relations, or for a better standard of living. Whatever the reason a parent wants to relocate to Japan, if a minor child will be joining that parent and also relocating to Japan, then the parent remaining in South Africa’s consent would usually be required. Let us unpack the legal issues a parent may encounter when wanting to emigrate to Japan. Before we do so, let us list the various cities and towns in Japan to which you may want to relocate: Aichi, Anjō, Atsuta, Gamagōri, Handa, Hekinan, Ichinomiya, Inazawa, Kariya, Kasugai, Komaki, Kōnan, Nagoya, Nishio, Okazaki, Seto, Tokoname, Toyohashi, Toyokawa, Toyota, Akita, Noshiro, Ōdate, Aomori, Aomori, Hachinohe, Hirosaki, Chiba, Chiba, Chōshi, Funabashi, Ichihara, Ichikawa, Kashiwa, Kisarazu, Matsudo, Narashino, Narita, Noda, Sawara, Urayasu, Ehime, Imabari, Matsuyama, Niihama, Saijō, Uwajima, Yawatahama, Fukui, Sabae, Takefu, Tsuruga, Fukuoka, Iizuka, Kitakyūshū, Kurume, Nōgata, Ōkawa, Ōmuta, Tagawa, Fukushima, Aizu-wakamatsu, Iwaki, Kōriyama, Gifu, Gifu, Kakamigahara, Ōgaki, Tajimi, Takayama, Toki, Gumma, Isesaki, Kiryū, Maebashi, Ōta, Takasaki, Tatebayashi, Tomioka, Hiroshima, Fukuyama, Hiroshima, Innoshima, Kure, Mihara, Onomichi, Hokkaido, Asahikawa, Bibai, Chitose, Ebetsu, Hakodate, Iwamizawa, Kitami, Kushiro, Muroran, Nemuro, Noboribetsu, Obihiro, Otaru, Rumoi, Sapporo, Tomakomai, Wakkanai, Yūbari, Hyōgo, Akashi, Akō, Amagasaki, Ashiya, Himeji, Itami, Kakogawa, Kawanishi, Kōbe, Miki, Nishinomiya, Takarazuka, Takasago, Ibaraki, Hitachi, Hitachinaka, Kitaibaraki, Koga, Mito, Shimodate, Tsuchiura, Tsukuba Science City, Ishikawa, Kaga, Kanazawa, Komatsu, Nanao, Iwate, Kamaishi, Miyako, Mizusawa, Morioka, Kagawa, Marugame, Sakaide, Takamatsu, Kagoshima, Kanoya, Sendai, Kanagawa, Atsugi, Chigasaki, Fujisawa, Hadano, Hakone, Hiratsuka, Kamakura, Kawasaki, Miura, Odawara, Sagamihara, Yamato, Yokohama, Yokosuka, Kōchi, Kumamoto, Arao, Kumamoto, Minamata, Yatsushiro, Kyōto, Kyōto, Maizuru, Uji, Mie, Ise, Kuwana, Matsuzaka, Suzuka, Tsu, Ueno, Yokkaichi, Miyagi, Ishinomaki, Kesennuma, Sendai, Shiogama, Miyazaki, Miyakonojō, Miyazaki, Nichinan, Nobeoka, Nagano, Matsumoto, Nagano, Okaya, Suwa, Ueda, Nagasaki, Hirado, Isahaya, Nagasaki, Ōmura, Sasebo, Shimabara, Nara, Kashihara, Nara, Tenri, Yamato-Kōriyama, Niigata, Jōetsu, Kashiwazaki, Nagaoka, Niigata, Niitsu, Sanjō, Ōita, Beppu, Hita, Nakatsu, Ōita, Saiki, Usa, Usuki, Okayama, Kasaoka, Kurashiki, Okayama, Tamano, Tsuyama, Okinawa, Naha, Okinawa, Ōsaka, Daitō, Higashiōsaka, Hirakata, Ikeda, Izumiōtsu, Izumisano, Kadoma, Kishiwada, Matsubara, Moriguchi, Neyagawa, Ōsaka, Sakai, Suita, Takatsuki, Toyonaka, Yao, Saga, Imari, Karatsu, Saga, Tosu, Saitama, Ageo, Asaka, Chichibu, Fukaya, Gyōda, Iruma, Kawagoe, Kawaguchi, Koshigaya, Kumagaya, Saitama, Sōka, Toda, Warabi, Shiga, Hikone, Ōtsu, Shigaraki, Shimane, Izumo, Masuda, Matsue, Shizuoka, Atami, Fuji, Fujieda, Fujinomiya, Gotemba, Hamakita, Hamamatsu, Itō, Mishima, Numazu, Shimada, Shimizu, Shizuoka, Yaizu, Tochigi, Ashikaga, Kanuma, Nikkō, Oyama, Sano, Utsunomiya, Tokushima, Anan, Komatsushima, Naruto, Tokushima, Tokyo, Chōfu, Fuchū, Ginza, Hachiōji, Higashimurayama, Hino, Kodaira, Koganei, Kokubunji, Machida, Mitaka, Musashino, Ōme, Tachikawa, Tokyo, Tottori, Kurayoshi, Yonago, Toyama, Takaoka, Wakayama, Kainan, Nachi-katsuura, Sakata, Tsuruoka, Wakayama, Yamagata, Yonezawa, Yamagata, Yamaguchi, Hagi, Hōfu, Iwakuni, Kudamatsu, Shimonoseki, Tokuyama, Ube, Yamanashi, Kōfu. (https://www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-cities-and-towns-in-Japan-2039519)  

Why do I require the other parent’s Consent to relocate to Japan?

According to South African law, if you are a co-holder of parental responsibilities and rights over your minor child, you must consent to your child leaving South Africa. In this case, relocating to Japan. Here we refer to section 18 of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. The entire provision is as follows: 18 Parental responsibilities and rights  (1) A person may have either full or specific parental responsibilities and rights in respect of a child.  (2) The parental responsibilities and rights that a person may have in respect of a child, include the responsibility and the right-  (a) to care for the child;  (b) to maintain contact with the child;  (c) to act as guardian of the child; and  (d) to contribute to the maintenance of the child.  (3) Subject to subsections (4) and (5), a parent or other person who acts as guardian of a child must-  (a) administer and safeguard the child’s property and property interests;  (b) assist or represent the child in administrative, contractual and other legal matters; or  (c) give or refuse any consent required by law in respect of the child, including-  (i) consent to the child’s marriage;  (ii) consent to the child’s adoption;  (iii) consent to the child’s departure or removal from the Republic;  (iv) consent to the child’s application for a passport; and  (v) consent to the alienation or encumbrance of any immovable property of the child.  (4) Whenever more than one person has guardianship of a child, each one of them is competent, subject to subsection (5), any other law or any order of a competent court to the contrary, to exercise independently and without the Consent of the other any right or responsibility arising from such guardianship. (5) Unless a competent court orders otherwise, the Consent of all the persons that have guardianship of a child is necessary in respect of matters set out in subsection (3)(c). Now let us explain what Parental Responsibilities and Rights are.

What are Parental Responsibilities and Rights of a parent in relation to a child?

As can be seen from section 18(2) of the Children’s Act, when we refer to Parental Responsibilities and Rights, we refer to the following: (a) to care for the child;  (b) to maintain contact with the child;  (c) to act as guardian of the child; and  (d) to contribute to the maintenance of the child. Therefore, if a parent has parental responsibilities and rights over a minor child, and accordingly, rights of guardianship, their Consent is required when it comes to issues of guardianship. As seen from section 18(3)(c) of the Children’s Act above, both parents’ Consent is required should a minor child depart from the Republic of South Africa. In this case, to emigrate to Japan. Even if the minor child only wants to go for a short holiday to Japan, both guardians’ Consent would be required.

When would the other parent be seen as a guardian in the case of a relocation matter to Japan?

It must be noted that not all parents are legal guardians over their minor children. We should therefore distinguish between married or divorced parents and parents who were never married. As you would see below, usually married, or divorced parents’ Consent would be required for a minor child to relocate or emigrate to Japan. However, that does not automatically apply to parents who were never married. This could be because the child could have been born from a brief encounter and never met his or her father. It would not make sense that a parent who never met his or her 15-year-old child, should give Consent for relocation to Japan.

Mother’s Consent for relocation of the minor child to Japan

Section 19 of the Children’s Act deals with the Parental responsibilities and rights of mothers. It states the following: 19 Parental responsibilities and rights of mothers  (1) The biological mother of a child, whether married or unmarried, has full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child.  (2) If-  (a) the biological mother of a child is an unmarried child who does not have guardianship in respect of the child; and  (b) the biological father of the child does not have guardianship in respect of the child, the guardian of the child’s biological mother is also the guardian of the child.  (3) This section does not apply in respect of a child who is the subject of a surrogacy agreement. As seen from section 19(1) of the Children’s Act, in most cases involving the relocation of a minor child to Japan, the mother’s Consent is required as she has full parental responsibilities and rights over the minor child.

Married father’s Consent for the relocation of the minor child to Japan

Section 20 of the Children’s Act deals with Parental responsibilities and rights of married fathers. It states the following: 20 Parental responsibilities and rights of married fathers The biological father of a child has full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child- (a) if he is married to the child’s mother; or (b) if he was married to the child’s mother at (i) the time of the child’s conception; (ii) the time of the child’s birth; or (iii) any time between the child’s conception and birth. As can be seen from sections 20 (a) and (b) of the Children’s Act, if the father and the mother were married, or are married, then his Consent is required for the minor child to relocate to Japan. Of course, an exception to this would be should a court of law order otherwise. This would be the case should the parents be divorced and the divorce court ordered that only the mother may act as guardian. Next, we deal with the issue of an unmarried father’s Consent to relocate a minor child to Japan.

Consent of unmarried fathers for the relocation of their minor children to Japan.

Section 21 of the Children’s Act deals with parental responsibilities and rights of unmarried fathers. The section states the following: 21 Parental responsibilities and rights of unmarried fathers  (1) The biological father of a child who does not have parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child in terms of section 20, acquires full parental responsibilities and rights in respect of the child-  (a) if at the time of the child’s birth he is living with the mother in a permanent life-partnership; or  (b) if he, regardless of whether he has lived or is living with the mother-  (i) consents to be identified or successfully applies in terms of section 26 to be identified as the child’s father or pays damages in terms of customary law;  (ii) contributes or has attempted in good faith to contribute to the child’s upbringing for a reasonable period; and  (iii) contributes or has attempted in good faith to contribute towards expenses in connection with the maintenance of the child for a reasonable period.  (2) This section does not affect the duty of a father to contribute towards the maintenance of the child.  (3) (a) If there is a dispute between the biological father referred to in subsection (1) and the biological mother of a child with regard to the fulfilment by that father of the conditions set out in subsection (1) (a) or (b), the matter must be referred for mediation to a family advocate, social worker, social service professional or other suitably qualified person.  (b) Any party to the mediation may have the outcome  of the mediation reviewed by a court.  (4) This section applies regardless of whether the child was born before or after the commencement of this Act. As can be seen from the latter sections, a father of a child born out of wedlock does not automatically have parental responsibilities and rights over his minor child. He may however acquire those parental responsibilities and rights over his minor child if he is materially involved in the child’s life. That would be where the father and the mother were in a permanent life partnership when the child was born or he is meaningfully involved in the child’s life, as outlined above. We shall not go into much detail regarding that. However, in most cases, if the father had regular contact with the child and paid child support, he would have acquired parental responsibilities and rights over the minor child.

What do you do if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child relocating to Japan?

Suppose the other parent also has parental responsibilities and rights over the minor child, and he or she does not want to consent to the relocation of the minor child to Japan, then in such a case, the Court needs to be approached. Here I refer you back to section 18(5) of the Children’s Act referred to above where it states: (5) Unless a competent court orders otherwise, the Consent of all the persons that have guardianship of a child is necessary in respect of matters set out in subsection (3)(c). Therefore, after your Court Application has been launched an both sides have been heard, the Court would make the necessary Order. If you are successful in your application for the relocation of your minor children to Japan, then the Court will make an Order similar to that which is shown below. [caption id="attachment_10829" align="alignnone" width="662"]Relocation consent Court Order for minor child to Japan - Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf Relocation consent Court Order for minor child to Japan – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf[/caption]  

Posted on by Telelaw

Relocation with my minor child to Russia, Moscow (Consent and Refusal) – Advocate Muhammad Abduroaf

The world is becoming a much smaller place, and technology plays a huge role. People are moving across the world for employment, love and happiness, something that was not the norm a few decades ago. There is no reason why you should remain in South Africa if you can find a better life for yourself and your family overseas. Moving overseas may provide you with the quality of life you want or the possibility of experiencing things you always wanted. The same applies to your child or children relocating with you.

Relocation of your minor child to Moscow, Russia

If you are single and do not have any minor children, then moving around the world would not be too complicated. All you need to do is ensure that you have the necessary travel documentation and travel ticket (and spending money), and off you go. However, if you want to travel with your minor children (for example, ages nine or ten) or relocate to another country, things may not be that simple. Firstly, if there is another parent, and he or she has parental responsibilities and rights, then his or her consent is required. For example, let us say you live in Worcester or Rustenburg, South Africa, and you want to relocate to Moscow, Russia, you would require the other parent’s consent to leave South Africa with your minor child. This can cause challenges, especially if the staying parent (in South Africa) does not agree to the relocation.

What about Passport Consent to travel or relocate to Moscow, Russia?

The same applies when it comes to your minor child applying for a South African passport to relocate to Russia, or any country. Both parents who have parental responsibilities and rights of guardianship will have to consent to the minor child’s passport application as well. In this regard, both parents have to be at the Department of Home Affairs (or the relevant bank that also assists with passport application) when making the Application with the minor child. This can be challenging if you have a disinterested parent who does not want to cooperate with the passport application. As you will see later, legal action would need to be taken.

What are the steps to follow when I want to relocate to Moscow, Russia with my minor child? There is there another parent.

To simplify the process for relocation, the first step would be to receive the other parent’s consent in principle for the relocation and that he or she will co-operate in this regard. Once that has been resolved, the parent relocating would need to make the appointment for the minor child’s passport application as well as the application for the relevant VISA. Each country has different requirements; however, seeing that it is a relocation, you need to apply for the correct VISA. For that, you need the Passport. Once the visa and travel arrangements have been finalised, the parent remaining behind will sign a parental consent letter for the international travel. That letter can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website. Basically, the parent remaining behind would state that he or she gives consent for the minor child to leave the Republic of South Africa and travel and/or relocate to Moscow, Russia.

What can I do if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child’s relocation to Moscow, Russia?

If the parent remaining in South Africa does not want to consent to the minor child’s passport application and/or his or her relocation to Moscow, Russia, then you would need to approach the Court. The Court, as upper guardian of the minor child, may order that the parent’s consent for the passport application and relocation be dispensed with. What this entails is submitting Court documents explaining why you want to relocate to Moscow, Russia. The other parent would also have an opportunity to give reasons why he or she objects. At the end of the process, the Court would determine what is in the minor child’s best interests. If it is in the minor child’s best interests to relocate to Moscow, Russia, the Court would make it possible despite the issue of consent or refusal.

What is the first step I should take if the other parent does not want to consent to the minor child’s passport application and/or relocation to Moscow, Russia?

If the other parent does not want to consent to the passport application and/or the relocation of the minor child to Moscow, Russia – in that case, we suggest you approach an attorney or advocate (trust account) to assist you with the legal process. He or she would then contact the other parent explaining the reasons for the relocation and request the necessary consent. If the parent remaining in South Africa does still not agree to the passport application and/or to the relocation to Moscow, Russia, then the attorney or advocate will proceed to take the matter to court. The legal route can be expensive. However, it is necessary to make the relocation of the minor child possible. You may also attend to the legal process yourself.

Getting legal assistance or help with your relocation application to Moscow, Russia

If you require legal assistance or representation with relocating to Moscow, Russia due to the other parent not cooperating or providing consent, then feel free to contact us for assistance. The Firm Advocate, Muhammad Abduroaf, deals with these types of matters.

Posted on by Telelaw

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