Sarah Dines acts for father in major international child abduction and 'stranding' case
12th August 2025

3PB's family law barrister Sarah Dines, led by Professor Rob George KC of Harcourt Chambers, acted for the respondent father in the recent reported case from the Court of Appeal of Re S (Children: Transnational Marriage Abandonment) [2025] EWCA Civ 1058. The appeal focused on the High Court judge’s fact-finding in relation to international child abduction, 'stranding' and domestic abuse.
The Court of Appeal gave particular attention to the question of what constitutes ‘transnational spousal abandonment’, also known as ‘stranding’, and whether the circumstances of this case fall within that definition. The Court of Appeal adopted a wide view of what counts as abandonment, and this decision is likely to be important for future cases in this evolving area of law.
A copy of the full judgment can be read here.
If you wish to contact Sarah about this developing area of law, please email her at [email protected]. If you wish to instruct her, or see about her availability, please contact her clerk Rob Leonard on [email protected] or [email protected] or by speaking to him on 01202 292102.