International Adoption
Leading International Adoption Lawyers
Our International Adoption Lawyers advise clients who wish to adopt a child from another country. Clients include British families living in UK, ex-pat families who have adopted a child whilst living abroad now wish to return to the UK and foreign national living in the UK.
“Naomi is very knowledgeable on adoption and surrogacy. She is solution-focused and open to ideas.”
“Naomi Angell is the fount of all knowledge on adoption and surrogacy cases. She is a lawyer to whom judges defer.”
International Adoption Services
International adoption is a complex and highly specialist area of law. The service that we offer includes:
- General advice to families considering international adoption, and bringing a child back to the UK. Our clients include British families living here, ex-patriot British nationals wishing to return to the UK with their adopted child in the future, and foreign nationals (EU or non EU nationals) living in this country and wishing to adopt internationally while they are here.
- Advice on the duties and actions of local authorities or other adoption agencies in relation to international adoptions, including the assessment process. Our clients include families with concerns about the adoption assessment process either in relation to an adoption agency or the Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF), prospective adopters seeking advice on appealing against a negative adoption agency assessment to the national review body, the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) and families needing advice on the complex procedures and regulations required for Hague Convention or other international adoptions.
- Representing adopters in adoption proceedings in the courts in this country, where the foreign adoption is not recognised by the UK and it is necessary to re-adopt here.
- Advising and representing prospective adopters wishing to take a child out of this country for adoption elsewhere, either where the child is in local authority care or as a result of a private family arrangement for adoption abroad.
- Advising relatives of a child abroad who may have been abandoned, orphaned or gifted for adoption in this country. These cases are particularly complex because of additional immigration issues.
- Advising and representing step-parents who have married a foreign national who has a child by a previous relationship where it is wished that the child should become a full member of the new family with British citizenship.
- Providing specialist legal opinions for lawyers, local authorities and adoption agencies either here or abroad on the law relating to international adoption in this country, including expert opinions for immigration lawyers for use in immigration Appeal Tribunals and otherwise in the immigration process.
Services related to international adoption
Find out more about our adoption services:
How we can help
Our adoption lawyers have developed useful relationships with specialist immigration solicitors and counsel and work closely with them in these children’s cases where immigration issues also need to be addressed. Naomi Angell also lectures to immigration lawyers on international family law issues.
To speak to a member of the team please:
- Call us on 020 7485 8811, or
- Fill in the online form below.
International Adoption FAQs
Can I adopt a child who lives abroad?
You may be able to adopt a child from another country if:
They cannot be looked after safely in their home country. Adoption is in the child’s best interests. An adoption agency has assessed you and confirmed you are eligible and suitable to adopt from overseas.Do I have to be British to adopt a child overseas?
No – but you or your partner must have a permanent home in the UK and must have lived here for at least one year before applying.
What countries allow international adoption?
Many do, but some will not allow children to be adopted abroad. The UK also restricts adoption from some countries because of concerns about unsafe practices or lack of consent. Current restricted countries include Nigeria, Cambodia, Guatemala, Nepal and Ethiopia.
If you wish to adopt from a restricted country, you will need special approval that we can help you obtain.
How long does international adoption take?
It is more complicated and therefore slower than domestic adoption. While UK adoptions often take around six months, overseas adoptions vary depending on both countries’ processes. For Hague Convention cases, you first get approval from a UK agency, then from the UK Central Authority, and finally from the child’s country. This obviously takes time.
You may need court proceedings in both places plus immigration clearance before the child can come to the UK.
Do I need an international adoption lawyer?
If you are thinking about adopting from abroad, working with a specialist adoption lawyer can help make the process easier and ensure it meets both UK and international legal requirements.
Our family law team is accredited by Resolution. We work closely with adoption charities and have strong experience in cross-border cases. We also work alongside immigration experts to deal with the immigration aspects of adoption.
We are happy to chat through your plans and answer any questions you have, no matter what stage you are at in the process.
Naomi Angell has considerable strength in adoption, surrogacy and fertility issues
Naomi Angell is a renowned practitioner in the market with a wealth of experience in family cases involving immigration issues. She has a depth of knowledge in surrogacy issues and is respected for her experience handling adoption matters.
"She is responsive and very knowledgeable – she knows everything on the family law side of adoption and is also very generous with her time."
"Naomi is second to none in her knowledge of adoption and her work in surrogacy is also a strength."
"She has an encyclopaedic knowledge and an in-depth understanding of this work. She's extremely empathetic and can put herself in the client's shoes. She's also very strategic and is good at pre-empting litigation."
"Their family department is very strong, from adoption to child abduction and matrimonial finance, this is a very strong team."
"Naomi Angell is a stand out individual who is well regarded as to the go-to lawyer in her field. What Naomi doesn’t know about adoption is not worth knowing."
"She is the queen of inter-country adoption. She is experienced in the field over a long period of time. She has wonderful client skills and is committed to getting proper outcomes."
"She is an adoption superstar. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of immigration law, and knows what's on the horizon due to her involvement in policy."
Naomi Angell – the doyenne of adoption and surrogacy family law, dedicated to her clients and hardworking.
The team has considerable strength in adoption, surrogacy and fertility matters through Naomi Angell.
"Highly recommended
Bridget and Amy-Jo were very supportive during what were very stressful proceedings. They were collaborative and I felt listened to and part of a team rather than just a client. We ended up being successful at the hearing.""She's extremely knowledgeable and highly professional."
"She is the guru when it comes to international adoption and she's an expert in her field."
Naomi Angell has a vast wealth of knowledge and experience.
"Naomi Angell is a highly esteemed practitioner who is highlighted as "a leader in the field" and "extremely knowledgeable" by interviewees. She is particularly recognised for her experience in complex adoption disputes."
Bridget Thompson is a public law specialist noted for her extensive practice in matters involving alternative families and adoption. An interviewee observes: "She's a fighter, she's clever, and she understands all aspects of a case."
"Naomi Angell is a leading name in international adoption."
"Recognised for its expertise in both domestic and international adoption, as well as assisted conception."
"Naomi Angell is a leading figure in domestic and inter-country adoptions, and also has expert knowledge of related fertility and surrogacy issues."
"Naomi Angell is phenomenal. She's done it for so long and knows so much that she's a fount of knowledge. If Naomi doesn't know something, it isn't worth knowing."
Naomi Angell is the doyenne of inter-country adoption and the font of all knowledge in this area.
Highly respected for her [Naomi Angell] focused on cross-border children work, including surrogacy matters.
Naomi Angell advises on international adoptions and complex surrogacy matters. She is commended for her broad, in-depth experience."
Naomi Angell is an expert in adoption issues.
Naomi Angell leads the market in cross-border children law matters. Sources confirm that she is "at the cutting edge of changing law and policy" when it comes to international adoption
Naomi Angell is described as hugely experienced, calm and a good listener.
Accreditations
Our Family Lawyers View the whole team
Claire Andrews
Partner
Family LawMark Freedman
Partner
Family LawJonathan Jonas
Associate Solicitor
Family LawMaria Kitsiou
Partner
Family LawLisa Pepper
Partner
Family LawAndrew Watson
Partner
Family LawJoanne Wescott
Partner
Family LawNaomi Angell
Consultant
Family LawDiana Bastow
Associate
Family LawEmily Charlesworth
Trainee Solicitor
Family LawView the
whole team
