DETERMINATION OF THE HABITUAL RESIDENCE OF A CHILD IN CROSS-BORDER CASES ON PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CHILD PROTECTION MEASURES
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Published:
Aug 13, 2025
Abstract
The article examines the concept "habitual residence of a child" in cross-border cases regarding parental responsibility and child protection measures and its significance for Private International Law. The author highlights the problematic aspects of determining the "habitual residence of a child" of children displaced as a result of the war in Ukraine. The current state of legal regulation of the concept of habitual residence of a child following the legislation of Ukraine and international acts, specifically, the HCCH 1980 Child Abduction Convention and the HCCH 1996 Child Protection Convention, has been analyzed. The legal position of the Supreme Court (Ukraine) on the procedure for determining the habitual residence of a child is considered.
How to Cite
Sushch, O. (2025). DETERMINATION OF THE HABITUAL RESIDENCE OF A CHILD IN CROSS-BORDER CASES ON PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CHILD PROTECTION MEASURES. Baltic Journal of Legal and Social Sciences, (3), 35-45. https://doi.org/10.30525/2592-8813-2025-3-5
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Keywords
private international law, private relations, habitual residence of a child, best interests of the child, child abduction, HCCH 1980 Child Abduction Convention, HCCH 1996 Child Protection Convention
References
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8. European Court of Human Rights (2020). CASE OF MICHNEA v. ROMANIA, Application no. 10395/19. Available at: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/ukr?i=001-203631
9. European Court of Human Rights (2021). CASE OF M.V. v. POLAND https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/ukr#{%22itemid%22: [%22001-208888%22]}
10. European Parliament (2017). Children On the Move: A Private International Law Perspective Legal Affairs: Study, Directorate General for Internal Policies of the Union Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs. PE 583.158, June 2017. In: European Parliament [online]. Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2017/583158/IPOL_STU(2017)583158_EN.pdf
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12. HCCH (1980). Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Retrieved from https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/full-text/?cid=24
13. HCCH (1996). Сonvention on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition, enforcement and cooperation in respect of parental responsibility and measures for the protection of children. Retrieved from https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/full-text/?cid=70
14. HCCH (2024). The Application of the 1996 Child Protection Convention to Unaccompanied And Separated Children, The Hague, 2024.
15. Krat, V. (2024). Gromadyany` chastishe zvertayut`sya do sudiv shhodo styagnennya kompensaciyi z agresora [Citizens often turn to the courts to recover compensation from the aggressor]. URL: https://bukvy.org/gromadyany-chastishe-zvertayutsya-do-sudiv-shhodo-styagnennya-kompensacziyi-z-agresora-vasyl-krat/ [in Ukrainian].
16. Kyrylchuk I.A. (2023). Pryntsyp naikrashchoho vrakhuvannia interesiv dytyny pry vyznachenni mistsia yii prozhyvannia u sudovomu poriadku [Principle of the best consideration of the interests of the child when determining the place of his/her residence in court]. Vcheni zapysky TNU imeni V.I. Vernadskoho. Seriia: yurydychni nauky. 34 (73) No. 1, 13–19. [In Ukrainian]
17. Law of Ukraine №2947-III. Family Code of Ukraine № 2947-III dated Jeunery 10, 2002. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2947-14#Text [in Ukrainian].
18. Melnyk, O. (2023). Problematyka vyznachennia mistsia prozhyvannia dytyny pislia rozluchennia batʹkiv u period voiennoho stanu [Issues of determining the child's place of residence after parents' divorce during martial law]. Naukovyi visnyk Uzhhorodsʹkoho natsionalʹnoho universytetu. Seriia: Pravo, 1(79), 211–214. DOI https://doi.org/10.24144/2307-3322.2023.79.1.36. [In Ukrainian]
19. Migrant Info (2024). Should I send my child to school while in Poland? Retrieved from https://migrant.info.pl/ua/home-120/navcanna/vazliva-informacia-ta-prakticni-poradi
20. Oliynyk A. (2024). Pravozastosuvannya shhodo vy`znachennya miscya prozhy`vannya dy`ty`ny` pry` rozglyadi sprav v umovax voyennogo chasu [Law Enforcement on Determining the Place of Residence of a Child in Wartime Cases]. https://supreme.court.gov.ua/supreme/pokazniki-diyalnosti/navch_suddiv_praciv_aparativ_2021/1621755/ [in Ukrainian].
21. Schuz, R. (2023). Habitual Residence: Review of Developments and Proposed Guidelines. Laws, 12(4), 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws12040062
22. Semenova, M., Bazhanova A. (2024). Deyaki aspekty`rozglyadu sporiv shhodo zaxy`stu prav i svobod ditej pid chas diyi v Ukrayini voyennogo stanu [Some aspects of consideration of disputes regarding the protection of children's freedoms during martial law in Ukraine]. “Human Rights in Armed Conflicts": International Scientific and Practical Conference dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Geneva Conventions for the Protection of Victims of War of 1949 and the International Human Rights Day. November 1, 2024, Odesa: Proceedings of the Conference. Odessa. 2024. P. 345–353. https://dspace.onua.edu.ua/server/api/core/bitstreams/2ff801a3-9447-4656-a67a-30fddb4016c1/content [in Ukrainian].
23. Stanivuković, М. (2021). Child’s habitual residence in the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Vol. 55 (3). Zbornik radova Pravnog fakulteta u Novom Sadu. 709–735. https://doi.org/10.5937/zrpfns55-34676
24. Supreme Court (August 13, 2024). The Civil Court of Cassation of the Supreme Court recognized the jurisdiction of the court of Ukraine in the dispute over determining the child's place of residence in a case with a foreign element. https://supreme.court.gov.ua/supreme/pres-centr/news/1650727/[in Ukrainian].
25. Supreme Court (December 11, 2023). Resolution of the Civil Court of Cassation of the Supreme Court dated December 11, 2023 in case No. 607/20787/19 (proceedings № 61-11625сво22). https://verdictum.ligazakon.net/document/116606725?utm_source=jurliga.ligazakon.ua&utm_medium=news&utm_content=jl03 [in Ukrainian].
26. Supreme Court (July 31, 2024). Resolution of the Civil Court of Cassation of the Supreme Court dated July 31, 2024, in case No. 760/18630/22 (proceedings No. 61-6796sv24). https://reyestr.court.gov.ua/Review/120785009 [in Ukrainian].
27. Supreme Court (November 1, 2022). Resolution of the Civil Court of Cassation of the Supreme Court dated November 1, 2022 in case No. № 201/1577/21 (proceedings № 61-4217св22). https://protocol.ua/ru/postanova_ktss_vp_vid_01_11_2022_roku_u_spravi_201_1577_21/ [in Ukrainian].
28. Sushch, O. (2024). Private International Law and Parental Responsibility: the Experience of Applying Parental Responsibility Measures to Ukrainians in EU Countries. Amazonia Investiga, 13(81), 24–38. https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2024.81.09.2
29. Sushch, O. (2025). The Principle of the «Best Interests of the Child» in Private International Law. Aktualʹni problemy simeinoho prava: Materialy II mizhnar. nauk.-prakt. konf., prysviach. pamiati d-ra yuryd. nauk, prof., chl.-kor. NAPrN Ukrainy Zhilinkovoi Iryny Volodymyrivny (m. Kharkiv, 11
kvit. 2025 r.) / Nats. yuryd. un-t im. Yaroslava Mudroho, Kaf. tsyv. prava; Hrom. orh. "Tsivilistychna platforma". Kharkiv: Pravo, 93–97.
30. UNHCR. (2025). Ukraine situation. Retrieved June 8, 2025, from https://data.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine
31. Župan, M., & Drventić Barišin, M. (2023). Continuity of Parental Responsibility in Child Abduction Cases: Lesson Learned from the Case of Z. v. Croatia. Laws, 12(5), 82. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws12050082
2. Bumbaca, V. (2018). Habitual residence: towards a child centered approach. In: 6th Children’s Rights Research Symposium. Belfast: https://archive-ouverte.unige.ch/unige:109044
3. Council of the European Union (2001). Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001 on Minimum Standards for Giving Temporary Protection in the Event of a Mass Influx of Displaced Persons, OJ L 212, 7 August 2001
4. Court of Justice of the European Union (2010). Barbara Mercredi v Richard Chaffe (Case C-497/10 PPU, ECLI:EU:C:2010:829, Judgment of 22 December 2010). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A62010CJ0497
5. Damascelli, D. (n.d.). Habitual Residence in European Private International Law. Università del Salento. https://platform.europeanmoocs.eu/users/1000023735/Domenico-Damascelli.pdf
6. Dobrianska N. (2024). Vstanovlennia mistsia prozhyvannia dytyny Yevropeiskym sudom z prav liudyny [Еstablishment of the childʼs place of residence by the European Court of human rights]. Zovnishnia torhivlia: ekonomika, finansy, pravo No 1 . С. 51–59. DOI: 10.31617/3.2024(132)04. [In Ukrainian]
7. European Court of Human Rights (2018). CASE OF VILENCHIK v. UKRAINE https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/ukr#{%22fulltext%22:[%22Habitual%20residence%20Ukraine%22], %22documentcollectionid2%22: [%22GRANDCHAMBER%22,%22CHAMBER%22],%22itemid%22:[%22001-177228%22]}
8. European Court of Human Rights (2020). CASE OF MICHNEA v. ROMANIA, Application no. 10395/19. Available at: https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/ukr?i=001-203631
9. European Court of Human Rights (2021). CASE OF M.V. v. POLAND https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/ukr#{%22itemid%22: [%22001-208888%22]}
10. European Parliament (2017). Children On the Move: A Private International Law Perspective Legal Affairs: Study, Directorate General for Internal Policies of the Union Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs. PE 583.158, June 2017. In: European Parliament [online]. Available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/STUD/2017/583158/IPOL_STU(2017)583158_EN.pdf
11. Hague Conference on Private International Law (2014). Practical Handbook on the operation of the Hague Convention of 19 October 1996 on Jurisdiction, Applicable Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in Respect of Parental Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children. https://assets.hcch.net/docs/eca03d40-29c6-4cc4-ae52-edad337b6b86.pdf
12. HCCH (1980). Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Retrieved from https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/full-text/?cid=24
13. HCCH (1996). Сonvention on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition, enforcement and cooperation in respect of parental responsibility and measures for the protection of children. Retrieved from https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/full-text/?cid=70
14. HCCH (2024). The Application of the 1996 Child Protection Convention to Unaccompanied And Separated Children, The Hague, 2024.
15. Krat, V. (2024). Gromadyany` chastishe zvertayut`sya do sudiv shhodo styagnennya kompensaciyi z agresora [Citizens often turn to the courts to recover compensation from the aggressor]. URL: https://bukvy.org/gromadyany-chastishe-zvertayutsya-do-sudiv-shhodo-styagnennya-kompensacziyi-z-agresora-vasyl-krat/ [in Ukrainian].
16. Kyrylchuk I.A. (2023). Pryntsyp naikrashchoho vrakhuvannia interesiv dytyny pry vyznachenni mistsia yii prozhyvannia u sudovomu poriadku [Principle of the best consideration of the interests of the child when determining the place of his/her residence in court]. Vcheni zapysky TNU imeni V.I. Vernadskoho. Seriia: yurydychni nauky. 34 (73) No. 1, 13–19. [In Ukrainian]
17. Law of Ukraine №2947-III. Family Code of Ukraine № 2947-III dated Jeunery 10, 2002. https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/2947-14#Text [in Ukrainian].
18. Melnyk, O. (2023). Problematyka vyznachennia mistsia prozhyvannia dytyny pislia rozluchennia batʹkiv u period voiennoho stanu [Issues of determining the child's place of residence after parents' divorce during martial law]. Naukovyi visnyk Uzhhorodsʹkoho natsionalʹnoho universytetu. Seriia: Pravo, 1(79), 211–214. DOI https://doi.org/10.24144/2307-3322.2023.79.1.36. [In Ukrainian]
19. Migrant Info (2024). Should I send my child to school while in Poland? Retrieved from https://migrant.info.pl/ua/home-120/navcanna/vazliva-informacia-ta-prakticni-poradi
20. Oliynyk A. (2024). Pravozastosuvannya shhodo vy`znachennya miscya prozhy`vannya dy`ty`ny` pry` rozglyadi sprav v umovax voyennogo chasu [Law Enforcement on Determining the Place of Residence of a Child in Wartime Cases]. https://supreme.court.gov.ua/supreme/pokazniki-diyalnosti/navch_suddiv_praciv_aparativ_2021/1621755/ [in Ukrainian].
21. Schuz, R. (2023). Habitual Residence: Review of Developments and Proposed Guidelines. Laws, 12(4), 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws12040062
22. Semenova, M., Bazhanova A. (2024). Deyaki aspekty`rozglyadu sporiv shhodo zaxy`stu prav i svobod ditej pid chas diyi v Ukrayini voyennogo stanu [Some aspects of consideration of disputes regarding the protection of children's freedoms during martial law in Ukraine]. “Human Rights in Armed Conflicts": International Scientific and Practical Conference dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Geneva Conventions for the Protection of Victims of War of 1949 and the International Human Rights Day. November 1, 2024, Odesa: Proceedings of the Conference. Odessa. 2024. P. 345–353. https://dspace.onua.edu.ua/server/api/core/bitstreams/2ff801a3-9447-4656-a67a-30fddb4016c1/content [in Ukrainian].
23. Stanivuković, М. (2021). Child’s habitual residence in the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union. Vol. 55 (3). Zbornik radova Pravnog fakulteta u Novom Sadu. 709–735. https://doi.org/10.5937/zrpfns55-34676
24. Supreme Court (August 13, 2024). The Civil Court of Cassation of the Supreme Court recognized the jurisdiction of the court of Ukraine in the dispute over determining the child's place of residence in a case with a foreign element. https://supreme.court.gov.ua/supreme/pres-centr/news/1650727/[in Ukrainian].
25. Supreme Court (December 11, 2023). Resolution of the Civil Court of Cassation of the Supreme Court dated December 11, 2023 in case No. 607/20787/19 (proceedings № 61-11625сво22). https://verdictum.ligazakon.net/document/116606725?utm_source=jurliga.ligazakon.ua&utm_medium=news&utm_content=jl03 [in Ukrainian].
26. Supreme Court (July 31, 2024). Resolution of the Civil Court of Cassation of the Supreme Court dated July 31, 2024, in case No. 760/18630/22 (proceedings No. 61-6796sv24). https://reyestr.court.gov.ua/Review/120785009 [in Ukrainian].
27. Supreme Court (November 1, 2022). Resolution of the Civil Court of Cassation of the Supreme Court dated November 1, 2022 in case No. № 201/1577/21 (proceedings № 61-4217св22). https://protocol.ua/ru/postanova_ktss_vp_vid_01_11_2022_roku_u_spravi_201_1577_21/ [in Ukrainian].
28. Sushch, O. (2024). Private International Law and Parental Responsibility: the Experience of Applying Parental Responsibility Measures to Ukrainians in EU Countries. Amazonia Investiga, 13(81), 24–38. https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2024.81.09.2
29. Sushch, O. (2025). The Principle of the «Best Interests of the Child» in Private International Law. Aktualʹni problemy simeinoho prava: Materialy II mizhnar. nauk.-prakt. konf., prysviach. pamiati d-ra yuryd. nauk, prof., chl.-kor. NAPrN Ukrainy Zhilinkovoi Iryny Volodymyrivny (m. Kharkiv, 11
kvit. 2025 r.) / Nats. yuryd. un-t im. Yaroslava Mudroho, Kaf. tsyv. prava; Hrom. orh. "Tsivilistychna platforma". Kharkiv: Pravo, 93–97.
30. UNHCR. (2025). Ukraine situation. Retrieved June 8, 2025, from https://data.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine
31. Župan, M., & Drventić Barišin, M. (2023). Continuity of Parental Responsibility in Child Abduction Cases: Lesson Learned from the Case of Z. v. Croatia. Laws, 12(5), 82. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws12050082